Effect of Organic Manure and Moisture Regimes on Soil Physiochemical Properties, Microbial Biomass Cmic:Nmic:Pmic Turnover and Yield of Mustard Grains in Arid Climate

Abstract

(1) Background: Arid conditions occur due to climate abnormality in the different biogeography regions of the world. The aim of this research is to investigate the stoichiometry of manure and moisture regimes on soil properties, microbial biomass C:N:P turnover, and the grain yield of mustard crops under stress in arid conditions; (2) Methods: The field experiment was carried out for 2 years at the farms of the agriculture college of SKN, Jobner (SKRAU Bikaner, Rajasthan). The effects of organic manure, moisture regimes, and saline water treatment on soil properties, such as the soil microbial biomass build-up, loss, turnover, and recycling of carbon (Cmic), nitrogen (Nmic), and phosphorus (Pmic) in the mustard crop were investigated. The twenty-seven treatments studied are described as follows: organic manures (control, FYM @ 10 t ha−1 and vermicompost @ 5 t ha−1), moisture regimes (0.4, 0.6, and 0.8 IW/CPE ratio), and saline irrigation water (control, 6, 12 dSm−1); (3) Results: Our findings indicate that vermicompost @ 5 t ha−1 significantly increases moisture retention and the available water in soil at 33 kPa and 1500 kPa. The microbial biomass build-up of Cmic increases by 43.13% over the control and 14.36% over the FYM. Similarly, the soil microbial biomass of Nmic, and Pmic also increase considerably. The SHC of the soil is enhanced by the application of farmyard fertilizer and vermicompost. The BD and pH decrease significantly, while the SHC, OC, CEC, and ECe of the soil increase significantly. The build-up, losses, and fluxes of the soil microbial biomass of Cmic, Nmic, and Pmic increase significantly, and the turnover rate decreases under vermicompost @ 5 t ha−1. A significant increase in grain yield was observed. Irrigation with a 0.8 IW/CPE moisture regime significantly decreases the pH of the SHC; (4) Conclusions: We hypothesized the interactive outcomes of the moisture regime and found that organic manure significantly influenced grain and stover yield. The treatments of quality irrigation water and the addition of organic manure are efficient enough to improve soil properties, water holding capacity, and soil microbial biomass C:N:P in stress climatic conditions.

Freeze–Thaw Cycles Have More of an Effect on Greenhouse Gas Fluxes than Soil Water Content on the Eastern Edge of the Qinghai–Tibet Plateau

“…The MBC decreased with soil water content under each freeze-thaw treatment and across all freeze-thaw treatments in this study (Table 3; Figure 4). This result conflicts with the field experiment results of Dietrich et al [66] and Bhanwaria et al [67]. A possible reason for this may be that our incubation experiment did not involve growing plants, which breaks the water-plantmicrobe linkages under increasing soil water, causing no carbon resources to be secreted by plant roots for microbial growth when water-enriched [68].…”

Effect of Irrigation Schedule and Organic Fertilizer on Wheat Yield, Nutrient Uptake, and Soil Moisture in Northwest India

“…In general, irrigation is being scheduled on the basis of the climatological approach (IW/CPE ratio) during the entire period of crop, irrespective of the stage of growth, but proper scheduling of irrigation is necessary in both vegetative and reproductive phases to maintain the optimum moisture regime for better growth and development of crop in the changing climatic scenario where abrupt variation in temperature takes place. The irrigation water/cumulative pan evaporation (IW/CPE) approach synchronizes supply and demand for water, which ultimately leads to excellent crop growth and increased grain output [10].…”

Under a Tropical Climate and in Sandy Soils, Bat Guano Mineralises Very Quickly, Behaving More like a Mineral Fertiliser than a Conventional Farmyard Manure

“…In several African countries, the use of organic amendments is even more important due to the difficulty farmers have in accessing industrial fertilisers [8]. The use of organic amendments plays an important role in soil conservation strategies, due to their effect on soil biological activity, restoration of soil organic matter, and the increase in nutrient cycling [9][10][11]. The use of manures, together with crop rotation and intercropping, is the basis of the "Integrated Soil Fertility Management" concept [12] and is consistently mentioned as the most recommended practice for small farmers of Sub-Saharan Africa [13][14][15].…”