Soil Microbial Activity in Conventional and Organic Agricultural Systems

Ademir S.F. Araújo, Luiz F.C. Leite, Valdinar B. Santos and Romero F.V. Carneiro
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Ademir S.F. Araújo: Laboratório de Qualidade do Solo, Universidade Federal do Piauí, Centro de Ciências Agrárias, Teresina, PI, 64000-000, Brazil
Luiz F.C. Leite: Embrapa Meio Norte, Av. Duque de Caxias, SN, Teresina, PI, 64000-000, Brazil
Valdinar B. Santos: Universidade Estadual do Piauí, Av. Nossa Senhora de Fátima, Parnaíba, PI, 64202-220, Brazil
Romero F.V. Carneiro: Laboratório de Qualidade do Solo, Universidade Federal do Piauí, Centro de Ciências Agrárias, Teresina, PI, 64000-000, Brazil

Sustainability, 2009, vol. 1, issue 2, 1-9

Abstract: The aim of this study was to evaluate microbial activity in soils under conventional and organic agricultural system management regimes. Soil samples were collected from plots under conventional management (CNV), organic management (ORG) and native vegetation (AVN). Soil microbial activity and biomass was significantly greater in ORG compared with CNV. Soil bulk density decreased three years after adoption of organic system. Soil organic carbon (SOC) was higher in the ORG than in the CNV. The soil under organic agricultural system presents higher microbial activity and biomass and lower bulk density than the conventional agricultural system.

Keywords: microbial activity; microbial biomass; soil organic matter; bulk density (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: O13 Q Q0 Q2 Q3 Q5 Q56 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2009
References: View complete reference list from CitEc
Citations: View citations in EconPapers (2)

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Persistent link: https://EconPapers.repec.org/RePEc:gam:jsusta:v:1:y:2009:i:2:p:268-276:d:5136

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