Understanding Carbon, Nitrogen Status and Microbial Population of Incubated Soils from Selected Land Use Systems

Abstract

An incubation experiment of 120 day was conducted during February, 2023 to July, 2023 at Department of Soil Science, Post Graduate Institute, Rahuri, Maharashtra, India to understand the periodical changes in microbial population, soil organic carbon (SOC) and available nitrogen (AN) status of soils collected from seven land use systems (Agriculture, permanent horticulture, pasture, agroforestry, salt affected, dryland horticulture and fallow land). Samples from seven land use systems were collected at three depths (0–15, 15–30, 30–45 cm) and replicated thrice to statistically analyse using factorial complete randomized design (FCRD). The periodical sample analysis for organic carbon content, available nitrogen content and microbial population (bacteria, fungi and actinomycetes) was done at 0, 30, 45, 60, 75, 90 and 120 days after incubation. Under open pot aerobic incubation study only bacterial count showed slight increase at 30 DAI, while fungal, actinomycetes count, soil organic carbon content and available N showed slight decrease till 45 DAI and later gradual decrease till 120 days across three depths under all the land use types. The bacterial, fungal and actinomycetes count dropped by 20–40% over initial value. Whereas, amount of soil organic carbon and available nitrogen dropped by 40–45% after 120 days of incubation period. A significant gradual reduction in soil properties was observed in all the selected land use systems. The study concluded that type of vegetation cover and plant residue added in soil significantly impacts soil health and nutrient retention capacity over the period of time.