A review: long-term effects of agricultural systems on soil biochemical and microbial parameters

doi:10.1016/0167-8809(92)90081-L

Agriculture, Ecosystems & Environment

Volume 40, Issues 1–4, May 1992, Pages 25-36

https://doi.org/10.1016/0167-8809(92)90081-L Get rights and content

Abstract

This paper provides a review of recent developments on assessing the effect of agricultural systems on long-term productivity of soils. Cultivation of soils, besides affecting soil chemistry and structure, reduces biological activity due to the reduction of macroaggregates which provides an important microhabitat for microbial activity. Indirect evidence suggests that soil amendments such as animal and green manures, and plant diversity (crop rotations) may be more important in maintaining soil microbial activity/diversity than conservation tillage in monocultural systems. There is increasing evidence that crop rotation promotes crop productivity by suppressing deleterious microorganisms that flourish under monoculture. Additions of inorganic fertilizers can increase soil biological activity because of an increased plant biomass production which upon incorporation stimulates soil biological activity. Conversely, limited evidence suggests that repeated applications of inorganic fertilizer nutrients can suppress production of certain soil enzymes that are involved in cycling of a given nutrient. The observed transitory decrease in crop productivity during conversion from chemical intensive input to alternative systems (greater reliance on biological resources) may be due to the initial diminished biological potentials of conventionally managed soils to efficiently cycle and mineralize organic nutrient sources. This review reaffirms the continuing need for the maintenance of existing long-term experimental sites and establishment of new studies in major agroecosystems throughout the world.

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A review: long-term effects of agricultural systems on soil biochemical and microbial parameters

Abstract

Soil Biol. Biochem.

Soil Biol. Biochem.

Soil Tillage Res.

Soil Biol. Biochem.

Soil Biol. Biochem.

Soil Biol. Biochem.

Soil Biol. Biochem.

Soil Biol. Biochem.

Soil Biol. Biochem.

Soil Biol. Biochem.

Soil Biol. Biochem.

Effect of crop rotation and fertilization on some biological properties of a loam in southwestern Saskatchewan

Can. J. Soil Sci.

Nutrient and phytotoxic contributions of residues to soil in no-till continuous corn ecosystems

Biol. Fertil.

Effect of manure and P fertilizer on properties of a black Chernozem in southern Saskatchewan

Can. J. Soil Sci.

The conversion experiment: reducing farming costs

J. Soil Water Conserv.

Influence of long-term residue management on soil enzyme activities in relation to soil chemical properties of a wheat-fallow system

Biol. Fertil. Soils

Influence of long-term tillage and crop rotation combinations on soil enzyme activities

Soil Sci. Soc. Am. J.

Soil chemical and biological properties as affected by conservation tillage: Environmental impacts

Continuous tillage and rotation combinations effects on corn, soybean, and oat yields

Agron. J.