PT Journal
AU Scherer, H
   Metker, D
   Welp, G
TI Effect of long-term organic amendments on chemical and microbial properties of a luvisol
SO Plant, Soil and Environment
PY 2011
BP 513
EP 518
VL 57
IS 11
DI 10.17221/3283-PSE
DE long-term field experiment; enzyme activity; microbial activity; N delivery; organic manure
AB We studied the long-term effect (about 45 years) of farmyard manure, sewage sludge and compost application in two increments on organic carbon (C<sub>org</sub>), the amount (C<sub>mic</sub>) and activity of the microbial biomass (soil respiration, dehydrogenase activity), total N content and N delivery of soils as compared to manuring with mineral fertilizers. The application of both increments of compost and the high sewage sludge application rate resulted in an increase in C<sub>org</sub> while soils treated with both compost application rates and the high farmyard manure application rate showed a significant increase in C<sub>mic</sub>. C<sub>mic</sub>/C<sub>org</sub> ranged between 1.7 and 3.3. Dehydrogenase activity and soil respiration were the greatest in the soil with the highest compost and farmyard manure application rates. Total soil N content was significantly higher in both compost treatments and in the treatment with the high sewage sludge application rate. This was accompanied by the highest N uptake of ryegrass.
ER