PT  - JOURNAL ARTICLE
AU  - Scherer, H.W.
AU  - Metker, D.J.
AU  - Welp, G.
TI  - Effect of long-term organic amendments on chemical and microbial properties of a luvisol
DP  - 2011 Nov 30
TA  - Plant, Soil and Environment
PG  - 513--518
VI  - 57
IP  - 11
AID - 10.17221/3283-PSE
IS  - 12141178
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.