Changes in microbial biomass and protease activities of soil associated with long-term sugar cane monoculture

• Published in: Biology and fertility of soils Vol. 27; no. 2; pp. 127 - 131
• Main Authors: Holt, J.A, Mayer, R.J
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Berlin Springer 01.06.1998
• Subjects: Agronomy. Soil science and plant productions; Animal, plant and microbial ecology; Biochemistry and biology; biogeochemical cycles; Biological and medical sciences; biomass; Chemical, physicochemical, biochemical and biological properties; continuous cropping; cultural soil types; enzyme activity; Fundamental and applied biological sciences. Psychology; Generalities; land use; Microbial ecology; Physics, chemistry, biochemistry and biology of agricultural and forest soils; proteinases; Saccharum; Saccharum officinarum; Soil; soil enzymes; soil fertility; soil microorganisms; soil organic matter; Soil science; sustainability; Queensland; Australia; Oceania; Production system; Laboratory study; Saccharum; Monocotyledones; Cultivated field; Enzyme; Cultivated soil; Tropical crop; Biochemistry; Microbial biomass; Long term; Sugar plant; Field experiment; Land use; Agroecosystem; Monoculture; Tropical soil; Peptidases; Enzymatic activity; Gramineae; Angiospermae; Soil biology; Hydrolases; Spermatophyta
• ISSN: 0178-2762; 1432-0789
• DOI: 10.1007/s003740050410

As part of a broader study, the aim of which is to identify soil factors that might be associated with yield decline of sugar cane, microbial biomass and protease activities were examined in soil samples collected from seven paired old and new land sites in three cane-growing districts of north Queensland. No consistent changes in soil protease activities were observed, although some sites exhibited specific effects, as a result of extensive periods of sugar cane monoculture. Soil microbial biomass, however, was significantly lower in those soils where sugar cane had been grown for extended periods. The implications of a lowering of soil microbial biomass on sugar cane yields and sustainability are discussed.