Influence of straw size on activity and biomass of soil microorganisms during decomposition

• Published in: European journal of soil biology Vol. 37; no. 3; pp. 157 - 160
• Main Authors: Tarafdar, Jagadish C., Meena, Subhash C., Kathju, Shyam
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Paris Elsevier Masson SAS 01.07.2001; Editions scientifiques et médicales Elsevier
• Subjects: Agronomy. Soil science and plant productions; Biochemistry and biology; Biological and medical sciences; Chemical, physicochemical, biochemical and biological properties; decomposition; dehydrogenase activity; Fundamental and applied biological sciences. Psychology; microbial biomass; Microbiology; Physics, chemistry, biochemistry and biology of agricultural and forest soils; Soil science; straw size; microbial biomass; decomposition; dehydrogenase activity; straw size; Microbial activity; Particle size; Incubation; Enzyme; Decomposition; Dehydrogenase; Microbial biomass; Vegetal waste; Straw; Enzymatic activity; Aridisols; Size effect; Oxidoreductases; Water holding capacity; Loamy sand soil; Organic amendment
• ISSN: 1164-5563
• DOI: 10.1016/S1164-5563(01)01084-6

This study relates to the pattern of activity and biomass of soil microorganisms due to varying residue particle sizes during incubation. Wheat straw (8 t ha –1) of different sizes (powdered, 0.9 cm, 1.8 cm, 2.9 cm and 4.4 cm) was incubated for 90 days at 50% water holding capacity in a loamy sand soil of Typic Camborthid. Dehydrogenase activity, an indicator of the total microbial activity, and microbial biomass were influenced by straw sizes during incubation. The peak dehydrogenase activity was recorded 21 days after incorporation of residue and it was highest in the powdered straw and decreased with increase in the straw length. The maximum biomass C build up was observed between 15 (< 1 cm) and 45 (> 1 cm) days after incorporation. The C:N ratio in the soil after 90 days of residue incorporation varied, with increase in straw size, between 12.1:1 and 20.8:1. The results reveal that for faster decomposition the length of the wheat straw should not exceed 1 cm.