Factors Influencing Microbial and Biochemical Parameters of Soils in Different Agro-Climatic Regions of Punjab

摘要

Soils from four different agro-climatic regions of Punjab were studied for physico-chemical, nutrients, microbial and biochemical characteristics. The soils of subhumid regions showed relatively higher contents of organic carbon, available P, Fe, Mn and Cu compared to the soils of semiarid and arid regions. The soils of arid western plains showed least population of bacteria, fungi and phosphate solubilizers, Azotobacter, Nitrobacter and Nitrosomonas as compared to the soils of other zones. Dehydrogenase, phosphatase and urease activities were found to highest in the soils of subhumid regions and lowest in the soils of arid western plains. Among the several factors, organic matter was found to be the primary determinant for microbial population as indicated by their positive and significant correlation. Bacteria, phosphate solubilizers, Azotobacter, Nitrobacter and Nitrosomonas showed significant positive correlation with organic matter whereas as phosphatase and urease activities had significant positive correlation with organic carbon, total nitrogen and available phosphorus. The study revealed the varied microbial population and theiractivities are due small variation in soil properties and the prevailing different agro-climatic conditions.