Soil Microbiological and Biochemical Properties as Affected by Different Long-Term Banana-Based Rotations in the Tropics

Abstract Soil microbiological and biochemical properties under various field crop rotations such as grains, pastures and vegetables have been studied intensively under short–term period. However, there is limited information about the influence of banana–based rotations on soil organic C, total N (TN), microbial biomasses and enzyme activities under long–term crop rotations. A field experiment arranged in a randomized complete block design with three replicates was carried out at the Wanzhong Farm in Ledong (18° 37′–18°38′ N, 108°46′–108°48′ E), Hainan Province, China, to compare the responses of these soil parameters to long–term (10–year) banana ( Musa paradisiaca )–pineapple ( Ananas ) rotation (AB), banana–papaya ( Carica ) rotation (BB) and banana monoculture (CK) in a conventional tillage system in the Hainan Island. Soil pH, total organic C (TOC), dissolved organic C (DOC), TN, total P (TP) and available P (AP) were found to be significantly higher ( P P