Effect of Different Organic Sources on Physical, Chemical and Biological Properties of Soil in Inceptisols of Varanasi
Ayush Bahuguna
Institute of Agricultural Sciences, Banaras Hindu University, Varanasi-221005, UP, India.
Sachin Sharma *
Institute of Agricultural Sciences, Banaras Hindu University, Varanasi-221005, UP, India.
Janardan Yadav
Institute of Agricultural Sciences, Banaras Hindu University, Varanasi-221005, UP, India.
*Author to whom correspondence should be addressed.
Abstract
After the green revolution excessive use of inorganic fertilizers increased, which resulted in affecting the activities of soil microflora and macrofauna, thus posing an environmental risk and decreasing crop production. The use of organic sources which include biochar, carpet waste, FYM (Farmyard manure) and PGPR (Plant growth promoting rhizobacteria) may act as an important tool to sustainably increase soil organic matter, crop yield and improve soil health on a long-term basis. The results of application of biochar, carpet waste, farm yard manure (FYM) and PGPR showed that the combined application of biochar, carpet waste and PGPR significantly improved soil properties such as organic carbon, nitrogen(N), phosphorus(P), potassium(K), dehydrogenase, alkaline phosphatase activity and microbial population. The enzymatic activity of soil was highly positively correlated with the physicochemical properties of soil. Therefore, it can be concluded that the combination of biochar, carpet waste, FYM and PGPR may increase and sustain the soil properties and crop productivity over time.
Keywords: Biochar, carpet waste, FYM, PGPR, dehydrogenase, alkaline phosphatase