Publication Date
1993
Description
Effects of nutrients and phosphate fertiliser on soil microbial biomass and several groups of soil organisms were determined in a glasshouse and field experiment. Extreme depletion of soil phosphorus nitrogen or sulphur caused a decline in the soil microbial biomass. This appeared to result from lower plant growth rather than directly through nutrient depletion. No long-term effects of superphosphate (SSP) or North Carolina phosphate rock (NCPR) on numbers of earthworms or soil micro-organisms were found in a field experiment where treatment differences had been maintained for 3 years. However, soil samples taken from fertilised plots 14 days after topdressing had significantly more fungi than unfertilised soil. The SSP-treated soil had significantly greater numbers of fungi than the NCPR-treated soil. No other significant short-term differences due to fertiliser or fertiliser type were found for other groups of soil micro-organisms.
Citation
Perrott, K W.; Sarathchandra, S U.; and Lee, A, "Effect of Fertilizer Application on Soil Organisms Under Pasture" (2024). IGC Proceedings (1993-2023). 21.
https://uknowledge.uky.edu/igc/1993/session40/21
Included in
Agricultural Science Commons, Agronomy and Crop Sciences Commons, Plant Biology Commons, Plant Pathology Commons, Soil Science Commons, Weed Science Commons
Effect of Fertilizer Application on Soil Organisms Under Pasture
Effects of nutrients and phosphate fertiliser on soil microbial biomass and several groups of soil organisms were determined in a glasshouse and field experiment. Extreme depletion of soil phosphorus nitrogen or sulphur caused a decline in the soil microbial biomass. This appeared to result from lower plant growth rather than directly through nutrient depletion. No long-term effects of superphosphate (SSP) or North Carolina phosphate rock (NCPR) on numbers of earthworms or soil micro-organisms were found in a field experiment where treatment differences had been maintained for 3 years. However, soil samples taken from fertilised plots 14 days after topdressing had significantly more fungi than unfertilised soil. The SSP-treated soil had significantly greater numbers of fungi than the NCPR-treated soil. No other significant short-term differences due to fertiliser or fertiliser type were found for other groups of soil micro-organisms.
