Quality of Soil in the function of biological fertilization and plant covering

Abstract

The yield of soybean was influenced by the chemical and microbiological properties of the soil, which was favored by management techniques that promote improvement in soil quality. The objective of this study was to evaluate soybean yield, chemical and microbiological quality of the soil as a function of biological fertilization and soil cover conditions. The experiment was conducted in both crops seasons 2015/16 and 2016/17 with experimental design in randomized blocks, with the agronomic characteristics of the soybean analyzed as a function of the factors of biological fertilization and soil cover conditions, as well as the chemical and microbiological indicators of the soil, besides the two factors mentioned earlier, fragment of forest. It was observed higher height of plants, pods with three grains, leaf area and yield of soybean cultivated on Crotalaria ochroleuca, followed by Pennisetum glaucum. Biological fertilizer, P. glaucum and C. ochroleuca promoted increases in the fertility of soil cultivated with soybean, mainly potassium, and contributed to reduce carbon losses, indicated by lower basal respiration and soil metabolic quotient. Based on the results, we conclude that the soybean presented highest grain yield with C. ochroleuca, and the biological fertilization and cover plants increased the chemical and microbiological quality of the soil. These techniques can be implemented in the soybean farming system.

Implication of Urochloa spp. Intercropping and Conservation Agriculture on Soil Microbiological Quality and Yield of Tahiti Acid Lime in Long Term Orchard Experiment

“…The largest metabolic quotient values in the fourth, sixth, and ninth years after planting in the ecological mower treatment can be associated with the largest energy expenditure in the microbial community, to maintain microbial activities, as well as with the presence of more active microorganisms [46]. A similar situation was found in soybean planting, where the lack of milliliter mulch resulted in a greater qCO 2 (3.0 mg CO 2 g C −1 h −1 ) [49]. Thus, the increase in the coefficient generates a greater loss of carbon via CO 2 and a lower carbon sequestration rate.…”

“…The microorganisms use SOM as a source of nutrients and energy for their development, temporarily immobilizing these resources. After cell death, these resources are released, reducing the loss of nutrients in the soil-plant system [46,49]. U. humidicola intercropped with young Pera orange (4 years), installed via minimum tillage, resulted in 0.27 mg C g soil −1 , which may be associated with characteristics of the species and the non-deposition of the residues in the intra-row [42].…”

“…The microbial biomass, despite being a source of C reserve, transforms other nutrients, such as N and P, which are important in nutrient cycling [49], and accounts for about 5% of the SOM. The active part is more labile compared to the non-living part of organic matter (95%) [42].…”

“…The abundance of microorganisms in the soil is related to the presence of plant residues in the soil. The soil microbial biomass is made up mainly of fungal and bacterial species [49]. Greater quantities of biomass from Urochloa spp.…”