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Soil Microbial Activity in Conventional and Organic Agricultural Systems
A. S. Araújo1, L. F. Leite2, V. B. Santos3 and R. F. Carneiro1
Abstract
The aim of this study was to evaluate microbial activity in soils under conventional and organic agricultural system management regimes.
Soil samples were collected from plots under conventional management (CNV), organic management (ORG) and native vegetation (AVN).
Soil microbial activity and biomass was significantly greater in ORG compared with CNV. Soil bulk density decreased three years after adoption of organic system. Soil organic carbon (SOC) was higher in the ORG than in the CNV. The soil under organic agricultural system presents higher microbial activity and biomass and lower bulk density than the conventional agricultural system.
This is an open access article, click here to view the full report
Source
Sustainability (2009) 1: 268-276
Author Locations and Affiliations
(1) Laboratório de Qualidade do Solo, Universidade Federal do Piauí, Centro de Ciências Agrárias, Teresina, PI, 64000-000, Brazil
(2) Embrapa Meio Norte, Av. Duque de Caxias, SN, Teresina, PI, 64000-000, Brazil
(3) Universidade Estadual do Piauí, Av. Nossa Senhora de Fátima, Parnaíba, PI, 64202-220, Brazil
Posted June 2010