Phosphorus fractions and microbiological indicators in vineyards soils of a tropical semiarid setting in Brazil

Abstract

Brazilian semi-arid tropical is responsible for the production and export of fine table grapes, but the demand for phosphate fertilizers and other agricultural inputs increases the cost of production and threatens local water bodies by leaching of phosphorus (P).The objectives of this study were to quantify the organic and inorganic fractions of P and to determine chemical and microbiological attributes related to its mineralization in soils cultivated with vines in São Francisco Valley. It was hypothesized that P fractions and microbial activity would increase in areas fertilized with phosphate. Soil samples from vines were collected in cultivated areas and in fallow systems. P fractionation, macro-elements analysis, microbial biomass phosphorus (Pmic), and phosphatase enzyme activity were determined and correlated with each other and with the total proportion of synthesized glomalin. In both treatments, the inorganic P fractions exceeded the organic ones, and the total phosphorus available in those soils was associated with the most recalcitrant fractions, reducing risks of leaching of this element and contamination of water bodies. Pmic was higher in the winery areas due to the presence of phosphate fertilizers and organic matter, hence the activity of alkaline phosphatase enzymes and the production of total glomalin increased respectively in three and four evaluated areas, indicating that P-mineralized bacteria and arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi have been positively affected by the current agricultural system.