ABSTRACT
This study presents a comparative analysis of the chemical composition and microbial population in agricultural and garden soils to evaluate soil fertility, nutrient availability in land use systems. Agricultural soils, managed through regular tillage, synthetic fertilization, and irrigation, were compared with garden soils, which are typically enriched with organic matter and subject to minimal mechanical disturbance. Key chemical parameters analyzed included pH, organic matter, nitrogen (N), phosphorus (P), potassium (K), and essential micronutrients. Agricultural soils showed higher concentrations of nitrogen and phosphorus due to frequent fertilizer applications but exhibited lower organic matter content. The pH in agricultural soils tended to be slightly alkaline, influenced by lime amendments, whereas garden soils were more acidic, attributed to organic decomposition and natural nutrient cycling. Microbial analysis revealed differences in total microbial count, encompassing bacteria, fungi, and actinomycetes, as well as key functional groups such as nitrogen-fixers and decomposers. Agricultural soils recorded higher bacterial populations driven by nitrogen input but had reduced microbial diversity due to monoculture and chemical inputs. Conversely, garden soils demonstrated greater microbial diversity and a higher presence of beneficial fungi and actinomycetes, supported by rich organic content and reduced soil disturbance. The results highlight that although agricultural soils provide quick nutrient access, their microbial health and long-term sustainability may be compromised. The garden soils promote healthier, balanced ecosystems through enhanced microbial activity and organic enrichment.
Reference
- [1] Bardgett, R. D., & van der Putten, W. H. (2014). Belowground biodiversity and ecosystem functioning. Nature, 515, 505–511. https://doi.org/10.1038/nature13855
- [2] Brady, N. C., & Weil, R. R. (2016). The Nature and Properties of Soils (15th ed.). Pearson Education.
- [3] Bray, R. H., & Kurtz, L. T. (1945). Determination of total, organic, and available forms of phosphorus in soils. Soil Science, 59, 39–45. https://doi.org/10.1097/00010694-194501000-00006
- [4] Chapman, H. D. (1965). Cation-exchange capacity. In C. A. Black (Ed.), Methods of Soil Analysis. Part 2: Chemical and Microbiological Properties (pp. 891–901). American Society of Agronomy.
- [5] Chaudhary, D. R., Gautam, R. K., & Sharma, G. D. (2018). Comparison of soil microbial community structure and enzyme activities in different land use systems of Northeast India. Applied Soil Ecology, 126, 57–65. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.apsoil.2018.02.016
- [6] Frac, M., Hannula, S. E., Belka, M., & Jedryczka, M. (2018). Fungal diversity and their role in soil health. Frontiers in Microbiology, 9, 707. https://doi.org/10.3389/fmicb.2018.00707
- [7] Gupta, A., Singh, U. B., Sahu, P. K., Paul, S., Kumar, A., Malviya, D., Singh, S., Kuppusamy, P., Singh, P., Paul, D., Rai, J. P., Singh, H. V., Manna, M. C., Crusberg, T. C., Kumar, A., & Saxena, A. K. (2022). Linking soil microbial diversity to modern agriculture practices: A review. International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, 19(5), 3141. https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph19053141
- [8] Hanway, J. J., & Heidel, H. (1952). Soil analysis methods as used in Iowa State College Soil Testing Laboratory. Iowa Agriculture, 57, 1–31.
- [9] Hartmann, M., Frey, B., Mayer, J., Mäder, P., & Widmer, F. (2015). Distinct soil microbial diversity under long-term organic and conventional farming. The ISME Journal, 9, 1177–1194. https://doi.org/10.1038/ismej.2014.210
- Jamir, A., & Rongsensowa. (2015). Shifting options – A case study of shifting cultivation from Mokokchung district, Nagaland, India (pp. 1–14). Unpublished report.
- Kumar, J., Shukla, K., Sen, A., Chandra, A., Bhagawati, R., & Rekhumg, W. (2017). Effect of different processes of jhuming on soil properties in mid hills of Arunachal Pradesh. Environment and Ecology, 35(2A), 999–1003.
- Lal, R. (2015). Restoring soil quality to mitigate soil degradation. Sustainability, 7(5), 5875–5895. https://doi.org/10.3390/su7055875
Download all article in PDF
