Temporal Stability of Soil Microbial Properties in Responses to Long-Term Application of Compost Obtained from Tannery Sludge

Abstract

Successive applications of compost obtained from tannery sludge affected the soil microbial biomass and activity. However, the effect of this practice on the temporal stability of soil microbial properties is not known. This study evaluated the temporal stability of microbial biomass, respiration, and enzymes activities in soil with successive applications of compost obtained from tannery sludge. Soil samples (0–10 cm depth) were collected from sites with successive application of compost at the lowest (2.5 ton/ha) and highest (20 ton/ha) rates, including the control (0 ton/ha). Soil microbial biomass carbon (MBC) and nitrogen (MBN), respiration, dehydrogenase, and urease activities were evaluated at 0, 30-, 60-, 90-, and 150-days post-application. The soil microbial properties varied as per treatments and sampling time. The principal response curve showed higher variation of soil microbial properties in the treatment having highest rate of compost. This analysis showed dehydrogenase, urease, and MBC as the most responsive parameters. The temporal stability of soil microbial parameters showed highest values at the lowest rate of compost. This study showed that the successive application of compost contributed to a decrease in variation and increase in temporal stability of soil microbial properties at the lowest rate.