Effect of Nitrogen Fertilization in the Sour Cherry Orchard on Soil Enzymatic Activities, Microbial Population, and Fruit Quality

Krzysztof Rutkowski (), Grzegorz P. Łysiak and Zofia Zydlik
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Krzysztof Rutkowski: Department of Ornamental Plants, Dendrology and Pomology, Poznań University of Life Sciences, Dąbrowskiego 159, 60-594 Poznań, Poland
Grzegorz P. Łysiak: Department of Ornamental Plants, Dendrology and Pomology, Poznań University of Life Sciences, Dąbrowskiego 159, 60-594 Poznań, Poland
Zofia Zydlik: Department of Ornamental Plants, Dendrology and Pomology, Poznań University of Life Sciences, Dąbrowskiego 159, 60-594 Poznań, Poland

Agriculture, 2022, vol. 12, issue 12, 1-22

Abstract: Sour cherry ( Prunus cerasus L.) is one of the most important fruit crops in Poland and ‘Łutówka’ is the dominant cultivar in commercial orchards. The experiment was carried out in 2007–2013 in three orchards; in each of them, three levels of fertilization were applied: 0 N kg ha −1 , 60 kg N ha −1 , and 120 kg N ha −1 . The activity of dehydrogenase and protease in the soil was studied depending on nitrogen fertilization. The abundance of soil microorganisms was assessed: bacteria, fungi, actinomycetes, and nitrogenous bacteria ( Azospirillum and Azotobacter ) in the years during the experiments carried out with fertilization of 60 kg N ha −1 in all orchards. The enzyme activity of dehydrogenases increased after the use of 60 kg N ha −1 from 3.8 to 6.7 (cm 3 H 2 24 h −1 kg −1 DW soil), but a further increase in the dose to 120 kg N ha −1 caused a decrease in activity to 5.1 (cm 3 H 2 24 h −1 kg −1 DW soil). The activity of proteases was dependent on nitrogen fertilization, but to a large extent it was related to the course of climatic conditions. There is no relationship between the growth and the activity of proteases. The yield and selected quality parameters of the cherry fruits were associated with both dehydrogenases and proteases. The use of lower doses of nitrogen fertilizers allows for maintaining biological balance in the soil and a more efficient use of nutrients, contributing to less environmental pollution.

Keywords: soil; biodiversity; sour cherry; dehydrogenase; protease; bacteria; fungi; enzymatic activity (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: Q1 Q10 Q11 Q12 Q13 Q14 Q15 Q16 Q17 Q18 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2022
References: View complete reference list from CitEc
Citations: View citations in EconPapers (5)

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