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Enzymatic Activity of Loess Soil in Organic and Conventional Farming Systems

Author

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  • Cezary A. Kwiatkowski

    (Department of Herbology and Plant Cultivation Techniques, University of Life Sciences in Lublin, Akademicka 13, 20-950 Lublin, Poland)

  • Elżbieta Harasim

    (Department of Herbology and Plant Cultivation Techniques, University of Life Sciences in Lublin, Akademicka 13, 20-950 Lublin, Poland)

  • Beata Feledyn-Szewczyk

    (Department of Agrosystems and Economics of Crop Production, Institute of Soil Science and Plant Cultivation—State Research Institute, Czartoryskich 8, 24-100 Puławy, Poland)

  • Jacek Antonkiewicz

    (Department of Agricultural and Environmental Chemistry, University of Agriculture, Mickiewicza 21, 31-120 Kraków, Poland)

Abstract

This study was conducted over the period 2017–2019 in Czesławice (central Lublin region, Poland). The aim of the present study was to compare chemical soil quality parameters (soil pH, available P and K, organic carbon, and total nitrogen content) and soil enzymatic activity (dehydrogenase, acid phosphatase, alkaline phosphatase, urease, protease) in organic and conventional farming systems. The experimental design included two crop rotations (organic and conventional) in which identical plant species were grown: sugar beet-spring barley-red clover-winter wheat-oats. The loess soil on which the experiment was conducted was characterized by the grain size distribution of silt loam, and this soil was categorized as good wheat soil complex (soil class II). The experiment was set up as a split-plot design in triplicate in plots with an area of 40 m 2 . Soil sampling was carried out using a soil auger within an area of 0.20 m 2 (from the 0 to 20 cm layer) in each plot during the autumn period. Over the 3-year study period, it was found that the organic system contributed to an increased soil content of organic carbon and total nitrogen. Moreover, a significantly higher soil pH value and a favorable narrow C/N ratio were found under the organic system (regardless of the crop species). Under the conventional system, in turn, a higher soil phosphorus and potassium content was observed. Enzymatic tests of the soil in the five-field crop rotation proved significantly higher activity of all the enzymes studied (in particular that of dehydrogenase, protease, and urease) in the organic system relative to the conventional one, regardless of the crop plant. Among the plants grown in crop rotation, sugar beet, and red clover had the most beneficial effect on the activity of the soil enzymes, followed by oats (especially under the organic system). The activity of the studied enzymes in the organic system was positively correlated (statistically significantly) with favorable soil pH, a higher content of organic C, and total N, and C/N ratio.

Suggested Citation

  • Cezary A. Kwiatkowski & Elżbieta Harasim & Beata Feledyn-Szewczyk & Jacek Antonkiewicz, 2020. "Enzymatic Activity of Loess Soil in Organic and Conventional Farming Systems," Agriculture, MDPI, vol. 10(4), pages 1-14, April.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jagris:v:10:y:2020:i:4:p:135-:d:347359
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Lalith M. Rankoth & Ranjith P. Udawatta & Kristen S. Veum & Shibu Jose & Salah Alagele, 2019. "Cover Crop Influence on Soil Enzymes and Selected Chemical Parameters for a Claypan Corn–Soybean Rotation," Agriculture, MDPI, vol. 9(6), pages 1-13, June.
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    Cited by:

    1. Sylwia Wesołowska & Barbara Futa & Magdalena Myszura & Agata Kobyłka, 2022. "Residual Effects of Different Cropping Systems on Physicochemical Properties and the Activity of Phosphatases of Soil," Agriculture, MDPI, vol. 12(5), pages 1-16, May.
    2. Nontobeko Gloria Maphuhla & Francis Bayo Lewu & Opeoluwa Oyehan Oyedeji, 2020. "The Effects of Physicochemical Parameters on Analysed Soil Enzyme Activity from Alice Landfill Site," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 18(1), pages 1-15, December.
    3. Shangyi Lou & Jin He & Hongwen Li & Qingjie Wang & Caiyun Lu & Wenzheng Liu & Peng Liu & Zhenguo Zhang & Hui Li, 2021. "Current Knowledge and Future Directions for Improving Subsoiling Quality and Reducing Energy Consumption in Conservation Fields," Agriculture, MDPI, vol. 11(7), pages 1-17, June.
    4. Marioara Nicoleta Filimon & Diana Larisa Roman & Ion Valeriu Caraba & Adriana Isvoran, 2021. "Assessment of the Effect of Application of the Herbicide S-Metolachlor on the Activity of Some Enzymes Found in Soil," Agriculture, MDPI, vol. 11(6), pages 1-16, May.
    5. Marioara Nicoleta Caraba & Diana Larisa Roman & Ion Valeriu Caraba & Adriana Isvoran, 2023. "Assessment of the Effects of the Herbicide Aclonifen and Its Soil Metabolites on Soil and Aquatic Environments," Agriculture, MDPI, vol. 13(6), pages 1-16, June.
    6. Lin Wang & Mandeep Kaur & Ping Zhang & Ji Li & Ming Xu, 2021. "Effect of Different Agricultural Farming Practices on Microbial Biomass and Enzyme Activities of Celery Growing Field Soil," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 18(23), pages 1-13, December.
    7. Xue Yang & Yuzheng Li & Chunying Li & Qianqian Li & Bin Qiao & Sen Shi & Chunjian Zhao, 2021. "Enhancement of Interplanting of Ficus carica L. with Taxus cuspidata Sieb. et Zucc. on Growth of Two Plants," Agriculture, MDPI, vol. 11(12), pages 1-14, December.

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