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Impact of Management Practices on Soil Organic Carbon Content and Microbial Diversity Under Semi-Arid Conditions

Author

Listed:
  • Nadia Bekhit

    (Laboratory of Spaces Eco-Development, Department of Environmental Sciences, Faculty of Nature and Life Sciences, Djilalli Liabes University, Ex-ITMA, PB 89, Sidi Bel Abbes 22000, Algeria)

  • Fatiha Faraoun

    (Laboratory of Plant Biodiversity, Conservation and Valorization, Department of Environmental Sciences, Faculty of Nature and Life Sciences, Djilalli Liabes University, Ex-ITMA, PB 89, Sidi Bel Abbes 22000, Algeria)

  • Faiza Bennabi

    (Laboratory of Spaces Eco-Development, Department of Environmental Sciences, Faculty of Nature and Life Sciences, Djilalli Liabes University, Ex-ITMA, PB 89, Sidi Bel Abbes 22000, Algeria)

  • Abbassia Ayache

    (Laboratory of Plant Biodiversity, Conservation and Valorization, Department of Environmental Sciences, Faculty of Nature and Life Sciences, Djilalli Liabes University, Ex-ITMA, PB 89, Sidi Bel Abbes 22000, Algeria)

  • Fawzia Toumi

    (Laboratory of Spaces Eco-Development, Department of Environmental Sciences, Faculty of Nature and Life Sciences, Djilalli Liabes University, Ex-ITMA, PB 89, Sidi Bel Abbes 22000, Algeria)

  • Rawan Mlih

    (Institute of Bio- and Geosciences, Agrosphere (IBG-3), Forschungszentrum Jülich GmbH, 52425 Jülich, Germany
    Institute of Water and Environment (IWE), Al Azhar University-Gaza, Gaza P860, Palestine)

  • Viktoriia Lovynska

    (Laboratory of Forestry and Forest Management, Dnipro State Agrarian and Economic University, 49600 Dnipro, Ukraine)

  • Roland Bol

    (Institute of Bio- and Geosciences, Agrosphere (IBG-3), Forschungszentrum Jülich GmbH, 52425 Jülich, Germany)

Abstract

Globally, arid and semi-arid agricultural land is characterized by low soil organic carbon (SOC) content. This impacts on the abundance and diversity of soil microorganisms in such environments. We therefore examined SOC and bacterial community structure dynamics in the single plots of the conventional (PC), improved fertilization (PA) and unimproved control (PT) at El Hmadna experimental station (Northwest Algeria) during five-time intervals T(0), T(15), T(70), T(104) and T(147 days). The SOC content was determined using the modified Walkley and Black method. The 16S rRNA genes were isolated from soils and sequenced using the Illumina sequencing platform. Over time, OC levels increased by more than 15%, especially in the improved plot. The highest OC stock was observed for the unmanaged control plot (47 Mg ha −1 ), also associated with higher bacterial biomass. However, taxonomic analysis revealed that bacterial diversity was higher in PA and PC, with Actinobacteria (42%) and Firmicutes (15%) dominating. Soil salinity did negatively influence SOC but the imposed management practices such as organic amendments did improve both carbon retention and bacterial diversity. The results underline the importance of imposing sustainable agricultural practices to improve carbon sequestration and soil health in semi-arid regions.

Suggested Citation

  • Nadia Bekhit & Fatiha Faraoun & Faiza Bennabi & Abbassia Ayache & Fawzia Toumi & Rawan Mlih & Viktoriia Lovynska & Roland Bol, 2025. "Impact of Management Practices on Soil Organic Carbon Content and Microbial Diversity Under Semi-Arid Conditions," Land, MDPI, vol. 14(5), pages 1-19, May.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jlands:v:14:y:2025:i:5:p:1126-:d:1661245
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Johannes Lehmann & Markus Kleber, 2015. "The contentious nature of soil organic matter," Nature, Nature, vol. 528(7580), pages 60-68, December.
    2. Nadhem Brahim & Hatem Ibrahim & Rawan Mlih & Abdelhakim Bouajila & Nissaf Karbout & Roland Bol, 2022. "Soil OC and N Stocks in the Saline Soil of Tunisian Gataaya Oasis Eight Years after Application of Manure and Compost," Land, MDPI, vol. 11(3), pages 1-16, March.
    3. Qiong Jia & Mengfei Li & Xuecheng Dou, 2022. "Climate Change Affects Crop Production Potential in Semi-Arid Regions: A Case Study in Dingxi, Northwest China, in Recent 30 Years," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 14(6), pages 1-12, March.
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