Grimsby, Lars Kåre (2005) Measurement of microbial numbers, activity, biomass and diversity as a response to different methods of treatment of Tanzanian soil. Thesis, Norwegian University of Life Sciences , Department of Chemistry, Biotechnology and Food sciences. . [Unpublished]
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Summary
Microbial biomass, numbers, activity and diversity were measured in tropical agricultural soil in Tanzania throughout the growth season of maize (Zea maize). Four farmers each had three plots that were subject to three different methods of treatment to improve soil fertility: 1) Removal of plant residues and other organic material, tilling to 10 cm, and adding nitrogen (60 kg pr ha) and phosphorus (40 kg pr ha). 2) Tilling organic plant material, such as maize residues, 10 cm into the soil, without adding fertilizer. 3) Collecting residues in heaps and burning them. No added fertilizer and no tillage. During the growth season, the total biomass and activity of the microflora increased as a response to higher soil water levels due to the rainy season. The microflora was also investigated to see whether there was any difference between the four farmers’ soil types, and it was found that the total microbial biomass were in correlation with the organic carbon content in each of the four soil types. It was also found that the ratio between fungi, actinomycetes and bacteria was the same for all the four soils. The measurement of microbial activity by soil respiration was influenced by the different soil types’ texture. When comparing the three different methods of treatment, it was found that burning organic material on the soil without tilling gave the greatest numbers and biomass. The combination of removing residues, tilling and fertilizing with inorganic fertilizer decreased the soil microflora most. And tilling and incorporating plant residues gave numbers and biomass between the two extremes.
Summary translation
One of the treatments (2) was close to an organic farming practice.
| EPrint Type: | Thesis |
|---|---|
| Thesis Type: | Master thesis |
| Keywords: | Microbial biomass, Microbial numbers, Microbial activity, Microbial response, Tanzania, Small scale farming, Soil Organic Matter, Tropical soils, Rhodic ferrasol, Maize residues, Soil texture |
| Subjects: | Crop husbandry > Weed management Soil > Soil quality > Soil biology Crop husbandry > Soil tillage |
| Research affiliation: | Norway > NMBU - Norwegian University of Life Sciences |
| Deposited By: | Grimsby, Lars Kåre |
| ID Code: | 10378 |
| Deposited On: | 03 Apr 2007 |
| Last Modified: | 12 Apr 2010 07:34 |
| Document Language: | English |
| Status: | Unpublished |
| Refereed: | Not peer-reviewed |
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