Publication Date
1993
Location
New Zealand
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" (1993). IGC Proceedings (1985-2023). 21.
(URL: https://uknowledge.uky.edu/igc/1993/session40/21)
Included in
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Effect of Fertilizer Application on Soil Organisms Under Pasture
New Zealand
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.
