DYNAMICS OF PHOSPHATASE ENZYME AND MICROBIAL PROPERTIES IN A DEGRADED ULTISOL AMENDED WITH ANIMAL MANURES

Abstract

Application of animal manures influences enzymatic activities and microbial dynamics in soils. Poultry manure (PM) and swine manures (SM) were applied at the rate of 30 t ha−1 each. The experiment was arranged in a randomized complete block design with three replicates. Soils were sampled at day 0, 14, 28, 42, 56, 70 and 84 from 0-15 cm and 15-30 cm depths. In both the PM and SM amended soils, significant increase in soil pH was observed. In PM treated soil, alkaline phosphatase significantly increased from 0.38 Mg g-1 to 4.94 Mg g-1 whereas in SM treated soil, it increased from 1.21 Mg g-1 to 4.80 Mg g-1. Acid phosphatase significantly increased from 0.42 Mg g-1 to 3.02 Mg g-1 in PM amended soil while increases from 0.11 Mg g-1 to 2.38 Mg g-1 were observed in SM amended soil. The application of PM and SM increased Total Heterotrophic Bacterial Count significantly from 1.27×104 Cfu g-1 to 8.63×107 Cfu g-1 and from 1.40×104 Cfu g1 to 8.10×107 Cfu g-1, respectively. Total Fungal Count significantly increased from 1.63×103 Cfu g-1 to 4.67×106 Cfu g-1 and from 2.00×103 Cfu g-1 to 5.67×106 Cfu g-1 in PM and SM amended soils, respectively.