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Effects of past and current crop management on soil microbial biomass and activity

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Abstract

Because soil biota is influenced by a number of factors, including land use and management techniques, changing management practices could have significant effects on the soil microbial properties and processes. An experiment was conducted to investigate differences in soil microbiological properties caused by long- and short-term management practices. Intact monolith lysimeters (0.2 m2 surface area) were taken from two sites of the same soil type that had been under long-term organic or conventional crop management and were then subjected to the same 2.5-year crop rotation [winter barley (Hordeum vulgare L.), maize (Zea mais L.), lupin (Lupinus angustifolius L.), and rape (Brassica napus L. ssp. oleifera)] and two fertilizer regimes (following common organic and conventional practices). Soil samples were taken after crop harvest and analyzed for microbial biomass C and N, microbial activity (fluorescein diacetate hydrolysis, arginine deaminase activity, and dehydrogenase activity), and total C and N. The incorporation of the green manure stimulated growth and activity of the microbial communities in soils of both management histories. Soil microbial properties did not show any differences between organically and conventionally fertilized soils, indicating that crop rotation and plant type had a larger influence on the microbial biomass and enzyme activities than fertilization. Initial differences in microbial biomass declined, while the effects of farm management history were still evident in enzyme activities and total C and N. Links between enzyme activities and microbial biomass C varied depending on treatment, indicating differences in microbial community composition.

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Acknowledgements

The authors are grateful for the technical assistance provided by Lincoln University Analytical Services. Special thanks to Andrew McLachlan for his advice regarding the statistical analysis of the data. We also wish to express our gratitude to Rhys Minchin, Neil Smith, and Roger McLenaghen for practical help and advice. Financial support for this study was provided by the New Zealand Fertiliser Manufacturers’ Research Association and Lincoln University.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Teagasc, Johnstown Castle, Wexford, Ireland

    Christine Stark

  2. Agriculture and Life Sciences Division, Lincoln University, P.O. Box 84, Lincoln, 7647, New Zealand

    Christine Stark, Leo M. Condron & Hong J. Di

  3. National Centre for Advanced Bio-protection Technologies, Lincoln University, P.O. Box 84, Lincoln, 7647, New Zealand

    Alison Stewart

  4. AgResearch, Lincoln, P.O. Box 60, Lincoln, 7640, New Zealand

    Maureen O’Callaghan

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  1. Christine Stark
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  2. Leo M. Condron
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  4. Hong J. Di
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  5. Maureen O’Callaghan
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Correspondence to Christine Stark.

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Stark, C., Condron, L.M., Stewart, A. et al. Effects of past and current crop management on soil microbial biomass and activity. Biol Fertil Soils 43, 531–540 (2007). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00374-006-0132-3

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00374-006-0132-3

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