- September 3, 2020
- Posted by: RSIS Team
- Categories: Agriculture, IJRIAS
International Journal of Research and Innovation in Applied Science (IJRIAS) | Volume V, Issue V, May 2020 | ISSN 2454-6194
Iwoh, E. F.1,2, Onyegbula, O. D.2, Ibok, I. U.3 and Peter U. U.4
1Department of Microbiology, Michael Okpara University of Agriculture Umudike, Abia State, Nigeria
2National Root Crops Research Institute Umudike, P.M.B. 7006 Umuahia, Abia state, Nigeria
3Akwa Ibom State Polytechnic Ikot Osurua, Akwa Ibom State, Nigeria
4Department of Microbiology, Federal University of Lafia, Nigeria
Abstract: – A field experiment was conducted to examine the short-term impacts of replacing inorganic by organic fertilizers on the soil microbial community and biomass carbon relevant for soil fertility and crop yield, using randomized complete block design; with Ginger (Zingiber officinale) as the test plant. Three types of fertilization regimes were compared as treatments: Nitrogen Phosphorous Potassium (NPK) fertilizer, Poultry manure (PM), Lime (LM) and non-fertilized (Control). Soil samples were collected from the surface (0-20 cm) soil for physicochemical properties, and microbial analysis before and after treatments at monthly intervals for 3 months. The data were subjected to Duncan new multiple range’s test at p≤0.05. Cultural morphology and biochemical identification were carried out using standard microbiological techniques. Results obtained showed that the organically treated plot recorded the maximum microbial population counts (bacterial and fungal) and microbial biomass carbon, followed by the inorganically treated plot and control. A significant variation in bacterial population was found between control and treated plots (organic and inorganic) at p≤0.05. Organic plot also exhibited a significant variation in fungal population with the inorganically treated plot and control (p≤0.05). The application of organic fertilizers increased the organic carbon content of the soil and thereby increasing the microbial counts and microbial biomass carbon as well as microbial diversity trait. The use of inorganic fertilizers resulted in low organic carbon content, microbial counts and microbial biomass carbon of the soil, although it increased the soil’s NPK level which could be explained by the rates of fertilizers being applied. Microbial isolates and percentage occurrence in the soil sample were; Staphylococcus aureus (100%), Bacillus cereus (100%), Escherichia coli (100%), Pseudomonas aeruginosa (86.7%), Streptococcus pyogenes (86.7%), Proteus mirabilis(53.3%), Klebsiella pneumoniae (100%), Enterobacter cloacae (53.3%), Rhizobium (60.0%), Clostridium sp (53.3%), Fusarium (53.3%), Clasdosporium (53.3%), Penicillium nalgiovense (60.0%) and Aspergillus niger (80.0%). A link between different fertilizers application and soil microbial components was tentatively established, but needs to be verified in further studies.
Keywords: Fertilizer, ginger, microbial activity, biomass carbon, soil physicochemical, microorganisms, soil, yield.
