Effect of mineral enriched compost on soil microbiological properties

Two years field experiments were conducted at the Indian Institute of Rice Research Farm, Hyderabad, to compare the performance of field fortified poultry manure applications on some of the microbiological properties of soil. Continuous application of MEC treatments resulted in decline in the pH of the soil in all the treatments from the initial levels of 8.07. Analysis of post harvest soils of MEC for physical parameters revealed that plots treated with inorganic fertilizer alone had an adverse effect on soil dehydrogenase activities, soil phosphatase activites and soil microbial carbon. Soil microbial biomass C μg C/g soil dry wt was recorded in all the MEC plots compared to control and RDF. Soil enzyme observations such as Alkaline phosphatase μg p-nitrophenol/g soil/ha assayed in all the MEC plots were highly skewed. Lowest value of dehdrogenase μg TPF/g soil/24h activity was observed in the RDF plots. Higher values of soil dehdrogenase activities were recorded in all the MEC plots compared to control and fertilized plots.