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ARS Home » Southeast Area » Auburn, Alabama » Soil Dynamics Research » Research » Publications at this Location » Publication #378941
Research Project: Enhancing Production and Ecosystem Services of Horticultural and Agricultural Systems in the Southeastern United States

Location: Soil Dynamics Research

Title: Biochemical characterization of an Alabama Ultisol impacted by long-term (15 years) crop management practices

Author
item He, Zhongqi
item Watts, Dexter
item TAZISONG, IRENUS - Alabama A & M University
item SENWO, ZACHARY - Alabama A & M University
item Tewolde, Haile
item Torbert Iii, Henry

Submitted to: American Society of Agronomy Meetings
Publication Type: Abstract Only
Publication Acceptance Date: 10/10/2020
Publication Date: 11/8/2020
Citation: He, Z., Watts, D.B., Tazisong, I., Senwo, Z., Tewolde, H., Torbert III, H.A. 2020. Biochemical characterization of an Alabama Ultisol impacted by long-term (15 years) crop management practices [abstract]. American Society Agronomy Annual Meetings, Nov. 8-11, 2020, Phoenix, Arizona.

Interpretive Summary:

Technical Abstract: Soil biochemical properties are parts of soil health parameters. In this study, we evaluated the impact of cropping systems, no-till, and poultry litter (PL) application on the selected nine soil biological parameters including microbial biomass C, N, P, and enzymatic activities. Soil samples were collected from the surface (0-5 cm) and subsurface (5-10 cm) layers. No-tillage practice resulted in significant positive trends in asparaginase and glutaminase in the surface soil (0–5 cm) and a significant negative trend in microbial biomass N in the subsurface soil (5–10 cm). Among cropping systems, soybean, especially with wheat crop cover, contributed to the increase of microbial biomass N, asparaginase, and glutaminase in the surface soil more than corn. This contribution was less prominent in the subsurface soil, but soybean with wheat crop cover still resulted in higher microbial biomass N and glutaminase than corn. PL application greatly increased microbial biomass N, asparaginase, and glutaminase in both soil layers. Microbial biomass P also saw an increase due to the PL treatment in the surface soil. Strong correlations did exist between microbial biomass N, asparaginase, and glutaminase at both soil layers, suggesting a strong interaction between these properties. Microbial biomass P also showed a significant correlation with glutaminase at both soil layers, suggesting a strong interaction. The overall effect ranking was PL application > no-tillage > cropping type and crop cover practice. PL application is an effective strategy to maintain and improve soil health for sustainable agriculture.