LONG-TERM EFFECTS OF CONVENTIONAL AND CONSERVATION FARMING SYSTEMS ON SOIL ORGANIC MATTER AND MICROBIAL ACTIVITY

摘要

Conservation farming systems in agriculture are based on the range of various modifications of reduced or no soil tillage in combination with conservation of plant residues on the soil surface to enrich soil profile with organic matter. Depending on tilling depth and intensity of soil organic matter (SOM) accumulation, soil regimes have been modified and soil parameters have been changing. This study aims to investigate the long-term effects of some conventional and conservation farming systems on SOM and microbial activity, especially on SOM mineralization rate and on soil organic and microbial carbon and nitrogen content as the main soil fertility factors.