Soil microbial activity under conventional and organic production of bean and maize

• Published in: Zbornik Matice Srpske za Prirodne Nauke Vol. 2016; no. 130; pp. 35 - 43
• Main Authors: Marinković Jelena B., Šušnica Ivan P., Bjelić Dragana Đ., Tintor Branislava B., Vasić Mirjana A.
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Matica srpska 01-01-2016
• Subjects: bean; conventional and organic production; dehydrogenase activity; maize; microbial abundance
• ISSN: 0352-4906; 2406-0828
• DOI: 10.2298/ZMSPN1630035M

The objective of this study was to compare the effects of conventional and organic production system on microbial activity in the soil cultivated with bean and maize crops. The trial in Đurđevo was set up according to the conventional farming system, while organic farming system was used in Futog. Two maize hybrids and two bean cultivars were used in the trial. Soil samples were collected in two periods during 2014 (before sowing, at flowering stage of bean crops, and at 9-11 leaf stage of maize) at two depths, at both locations. The following microbiological parameters were tested: the total number of micro­organisms, number of ammonifiers, Azotobacter sp., free nitrogen fixing bacteria, fungi, actinomycetes, and activity of dehydrogenase enzyme. The results showed that the total number of microorganisms, number of free N-fixers and dehydrogenase activity were higher within organic production, while Azotobacter sp. was more abundant in conventional production. Variations in the number of ammonifiers, fungi and actinomycetes in relation to the type of production were not obtained. Significant differences in microbial activity were also obtained between period and depths of sampling.