Integrated evaluation of soil quality after the incorporation of organic matter and microorganisms

Abstract

The soil quality was evaluated following the addition of organic matter and microorganisms to a clay loam soil collected in Aranjuez (Madrid) under controlled conditions of temperature and moisture, and over a period of three months. The following treatments were carried out: soil (control); soil + 50 t/ha of animal manure (E50); soil + 50 t/ha of animal manure + 301/ha of effective microorganisms (E50EM); soil + 30 t/ha of combination of various green crop residues and weeds (RC30) and soil + 30 t/ha of combination of various green crop residues and weeds + 301/ha of effective microorganisms (RC30EM). The soil samples were taken before and after the incubation and analysed using physical, chemical and microbiological parameters. A significant increase in the production of polysaccharides and alkaline phosphatase and esterase enzymes in the treatments E50EM and RC30EM was observed, being in direct correlation with the humification of the organic matter, with the water retention at field capacity, and with the cationic exchange capacity (CEC). It can be concluded that the incorporation of microorganisms EM potentialized the soil biological activity and improved physicochemical soil properties, contributing to a quick humification of fresh organic matter. Those findings were proved by microbiological activities of exopolysaccharides by alcaline phosphatase and esterase enzymes, which can be used as earlier and integral soil health indicators.