Changes in biological properties of different soil types of Konkan as influence by FYM application

Introduction

Konkan region of Maharashtra includes Greater Bombay (603 sq.km), Thane (9558 sq.km), Raigad (7148 sq.km), Ratnagiri (8249 sq. km) and Sindhudurg (5232 sq. km) districts bound by Gujarat in north and Goa in south. It is stretch of 720 km long belt of coastal land and Sahyadri hills with a width varying from 50-60 km. The territory is flanked by Arabian Sea on western side. It is a spread over in between 15 0 60 N and 20 0 22 N latitude and 72 0 39 and 73 0 48 longitude.

Materials and Methods Topography and Parent Material

Topographically, the Konkan coastal lands are platform of Marine denudation raised to form a narrow plain, interrupted by parallel and transverse hills which reach the sea, thus denying the plain of a uniform level. The streams bring about a vast eroded material from their upper reaches and deposit it in lowest zone near the shore line. The coast along the Raigad district appears to be different from Ratnagiri coast, being much indented and suggesting submergence, as confirmed by submerged khair forests of Thane district. In the plains of Raigad, trap rock is found in tabulated masses and irregular shapeless boulders of considerably varying dimensions. The basalt has given rise to fairly thick lateritic particularly in southern part of Raigad and most of the Ratnagiri and Sindhudurg district. The general level of laterization is 150 to 175 meters above mean sea level, but towards east, some higher plateaus also show laterite. The granite and gneisses are exposed in southern part of Sindhudurg district around Kudal (Anonymous 1990) [1] .

Results and Discussion

The mean CO 2 evolution indicates activity of microbes in soil. The CO 2 evolutionof different types of soils of Konkan region at various observation period ranged from 155 to 211 mg CO 2 g -1 190 to 243 mg CO 2 g -1 , 160 to 198 mg CO 2 g -1 and 158 to 202 mg CO 2 g -1 at 30 DAI, 60 DAI, 90 DAI and 120 DAI, respectively (Table 1). There was an increase in CO 2 evolution in different soil types with the incubation period over its initial values i.e. at 30 DAI, which continued up to 60 DAI and decreased thereafter. The decrease in CO 2 evolution could be due to deficiency of substrates and nutrients at later periods of incubation (Lal et al. 1996) [11] . In this concerned, Biswas et al. 2007 [5] stated that on incubation, the microbes attached the un-decomposed residues to release higher amount of CO 2 With the decline in substrate availability, the growth and activity of the biomass decline. The small amount of substrate is used for maintenance (Bhattacharyya et al. 2001) [4] . Rise and fall of CO 2 evolution of different soil types of Konkan with and without FYM, as observed herein, are in accordance with Bhattacharyya et al. (2001) [4] in Bankura soils (Typic Haplustalf) (pH 5.2), Canning soils (Typic Endoaquept) (pH 7.2) and Jalpaiguri soils (Aeric Endoaquept) (pH 4.8) of West Bengal. At 30 DAI, 90 DAI and 120 DAI, Manat soils and course shallow soils noted the highest mean CO 2 evolution of 214 mg CO 2 g -1 , 216 mg CO 2 g -1 , and 211 mg mg CO 2 g -1 , respectively; while, at 60 DAI Manat soils recorded the highest mean CO 2 evolution of 243 mg CO 2 g -1 , In case lowest value, the course shallow soils, lateritic soils, coastal alluvial soils recorded the lowest value at all observational periods i.e. 155 mg mg CO 2 g -1 , 190 mg CO 2 g -1 , 160 mg CO 2 g -1 , and 158 mg CO 2 g -1 , at 30 DAI, 60 DAI, 90 DAI and 120 DAI, respectively.

FYM Effect

The FYM application, in general, showed higher CO 2 value than no application. This indicated that addition of organics to soil elevate the metabolic status of soil micro-organisms. The FYM addition exerted a stimulating influence on the preponderance of bacteria in soil. This indicated the importance of easily degradable carbonaceous compounds for the proliferation of bacteria population in soil (Mukherjee et al. 1990 and Selvi et al. 2004) [14,18] .

Interaction Effect

The interaction between soil types and FYM application was not significant at 30 DAI 90 DAI and 120 DAI. However, at 60 DAI, the interaction was found to be significant. Among interaction at 60 DAI the highest CO 2 evolution245 mg CO 2 g -1 was registered by Manat soil with FYM application (T 9 ). In case of lowest CO 2 evolution, coarse shallow soils recorded the lowest value of 167 mg CO 2 g -1 at 60 DAI respectively.

The mean microbial biomass carbon of different types of soils of Konkan region at various observation period ranged from 2.23 to 3 mg kg -1 , 3.55 to 5.25 mg kg -1 , 2.40 to 4.24 mg kg -1 and 1.53 to 2.82 mg kg -1 at 30 DAI, 60 DAI, 90 DAI and 120 DAI, respectively (Table 2). There was an increase in microbial biomass carbon in different soil types up to 60 DAI with the incubation period over its initial values, which further decreased from 90 DAI to 120 DAI. The decreasing trend in microbial biomass carbon during the entire period of incubation seemed to be related to the gradual depletion of nutrients at the disposal of the biomass (Bhattacharyya et al. 2001) [4] . The trend in temporal variation of microbial biomass carbon, as observed herein different soil types of Konkan with and without FYM was in conformity with that of Bhattacharyya et al. (2001) [4] in Bankura soils (Typic Haplustalf) (pH 5.2), Canning soils (Typic Endoaquept) (pH 7.2) and Jalpaiguri soils (Aeric Endoaquept) (pH 4.8) of West Bengal.

FYM Effect

Application of FYM increase soil microbial biomass carbon in comparison to no application of organic matter possibly, provided a supply of good amount of nutrients and the carbon for microbial cell proliferation, which was reflected in higher microbial biomass carbon recorded in this study, as also reported by Ghoshal and Singh (1995) [9] and Tripathi et al. (2009) [24] . The gradual increase in microbial biomass carbon of the enriched soils up to 60 DAI could be attributed to the easily available biodgadable organic matter in FYM which stimulate the biomass (Jenkins on and Ladd 1981 and Bhattacharyya et al. 2001) [4] or to the incorporation of exogenous micro-organisms (Perucci 1992) [17] . The decreasing trend, thereafter, seemed to be related to the "protective capacity" of soil for biomass (Sparling 1985) [20] . Biomass generated in excess of that capacity, is automatically killed or Probably the same phenomenon also occurred here, significantly higher microbial biomass carbon levels of the enriched soils, in comparison to the control, at all stages of incubation indicated that FYM enrichment in soil would result in the improvement of soil quality component. It is on record (Statton et al. 1995) [21] that the most dramatic influence of compost addition to soil takes place on marginal soils with low organic matter and plant nutrients. Same phenomenon also took place in coastal saline and acid sulphate soils.

In [4] found increase in soil microbial biomass carbon with organic matter application.

Interaction Effect

At 30 DAI, 60 DAI and 120 DAI, the interaction between soil types and FYM application was non-significant. However, at 90 DAI the interaction was found to be significant. Among interaction at 90 DAI the highest biomass carbon 441 mg kg -1 , was registered by coastal saline soil with FYM application (T 3 ). In case of lowest biomass carbon, acid sulphate soils recorded the lowest value of 2.34 mg kg -1 , at 90 DAI.

FYM Effect

Application of FYM significantly increased the microbial count of bacteria over no application. This is possible since most of the soil microorganisms are chemo-heterotrophy, which require organic source of carbon as food and oxidation of organic substances provided energy Bedi et al.

(2009) [2,3] in acid Alfisols soils and Mhalshi (2013) [13] in lateritic soils of Konkan also found increase in microbial count of bacteria with organic matter application. Lal et al.

(1996) [11] found increase in the microbial count due to application of FYM under incubation in Alfisol of Bihar.

Interaction Effect

The interaction between soil types and FYM application was not significant at 30 DAI. However, at 30 DAI, 60 DAI and 120 DAI, the interaction was found to be significant. Among interaction, at 60 DAI the highest bacteria (323 cfu x 10 4 ) was registered by medium black soil with FYM application (T 1 ) and at 30 DAI and 120 day coastal alluvial soils and medium black soil with FYM application registered the highest bacteria of 146 cfu x 10 4 and 285 cfu x 10 4 , respectively. In case of lowest bacteria, reddish brown, lateritic and Manat recorded the lowest value of 69 cfu x 10 4 , 187 cfu x 10 4 and 210 cfu x 10 4 at 30 DAI, 60 DAI and 120 DAI, respectively. [2,3] , application of FYM significantly increased the microbial count of fungi over no application. Bedi et al. (2009) [2,3] in acid Alfisols soils and Mhalshi (2013) [13] in lateritic soils of Konkan also found increase in microbial count of fungi with organic matter application. Lal et al. (1996) [11] found increase in the microbial count due to application of FYM under incubation in Alfisol of Bihar.

Interaction Effect

The interaction between soil types and FYM application was not significant at 30 DAI, 60 DAI, 90 DAI and 120 DAI.

Microbial count of actinomycets (cfu x 10 4 ) of different soil types as influenced by FYM application Soil Effect

The mean microbial count of actinomycetes of different types of soils of Konkan region at various observation period ranged from 34 to 57 cfu x 10 4 , 93 to 168 cfu x 10 4 , 121 to 181 cfu x 10 4 and 99 to 187 cfu x 10 4 at 30 DAI, 60 DAI, 90 DAI and 120 DAI, respectively (Table 5).

The trend of variation in microbial count of actinomycets in different types of soils of Konkan with and without FYM showed that the values increased with the time of incubation and the highest values were recorded at 90 DAI. After 90 DAI, the microbial count of actinomycetes in different types of soils started decline to reach the low values at 120 DAI.

FYM Effect

The microbial count of actinomycetes of different types of soils of Konkan region at various observation period without FYM ranged from 24 to 42 cfu x 10 [2,3] , application of FYM significantly increased the microbial count of actinomycetes over no application. Bedi et al. (2009) [2,3] in acid Alfisols soils and Mhalshi (2013) [13] in lateritic soils of Konkan also found increase in microbial count of actinomycets with organic matter application.

Interaction Effect

The interaction between soil types and FYM application was not significant at 30 DAI and 90 DAI. However, at 60 DAI and 120 DAI the interaction was found to be significant. Among interaction at 60 DAI and 120 DAI, the highest actinomycetes (184 cfu x 10 4 and 205 cfu x 10 4 , respectively) was registered by laterite (T 5 ) and acid sulphate soils (T 8 ) with FYM application. In case of lowest actinomycetes, coastal alluvial soils and reddish brown soils recorded the lowest value of 51 cfu x 10 4 and 52 cfu x 10 4 at 60 DAI and 120 DAI, respectively.

Dehydrogenase is considered to be an indicator of total microbial activity (Skujins 1973) [22] , on which the urease activity depends predominantly (Cassida 1977 and Shilpashree and Kotur 2009) [19] .

Soil Effect

The mean dehydrogenase activity of different types of soils of Konkan region at various observation period ranged from 42 to 147 µg TPF g -1 , 42 to 152 µg TPF g -1 , 43 to 162 µg TPF g -1 and 45 to 163 µg TPF g -1 at 30 DAI, 60 DAI, 90 DAI and 120 DAI, respectively (Table 6). At 30 DAI, 60 DAI and 90 DAI medium black soils noted the highest mean dehydrogenase activity of 147 µg TPF g -1 , 152 µg TPF g -1 , and 162 µg TPF g -1 , respectively; while, at 120 DAI medium black soils recorded the highest mean dehydrogenase activity of 163 µg TPF g -1 . In case of lowest value, the course shallow soils and coastal alluvial soils recorded the lowest value at all observational periods i.e. 42 µg TPF g -1 , 42 µg TPF g -1 , 43 µg TPF g -1 and 45 µg TPF g -1 at 30 DAI, 60 DAI, 90 DAI and 120 DAI, respectively.

FYM Effect

Application of FYM significantly increased the dehydrogenase activity over no application at all observation periods. In this connection, Praveen Kumar et al. (2007) [10] reported that the activities of dehydrogenase are associated with the organic matter content in the soil. In their study they found that the activities of dehydrogenase decreased markedly with soil depth in different rotation as well as in the tilled and untilled fields and this decrease in activities with depth was associated with decrease in organic matter content.

Interaction Effect

The interaction between soil types and FYM application was not significant at 30 DAI and 90 DAI. However, at 60 DAI and 120 DAI, the interaction was found to be significant. Among interaction at 60 DAI and 120 DAI, the highest dehydrogenase activity of 154 µg TPF g -1 and 164 µg TPF g - 1 , respectively, was registered by medium black soil with FYM application (T 4 ). In case of lowest dehydrogenase activity, course shallow soils recorded the lowest value of 41 µg TPF g -1 and 43 µg TPF g -1 at 60 DAI and 120 DAI, respectively.

The time required for hydrolyzing half the quantity of applied urea is referred as urease activity. The activity of urease enzyme in soils significantly influence hydrolysis of urea and further transformation like nitrification and volatilization losses of ammonia. Urease has a definite rile in N use efficiency of urea applied to crops, especially if applied to surface or partially incorporated (Shilpashree and Kotur 2009) [19] .

Soil Effect

The mean urease activity of different types of soils of Konkan region at various observation period ranged from 14.99 to 22.06 µg urea/g dry soil/hr, 20.66 to 33.40 µg urea/g dry soil/hr, 12.99 to 19.23 µg urea/g dry soil/hr and 5.16 to 12.06 µg urea/g dry soil/hr at 30 DAI, 60 DAI, 90 DAI and 120 DAI, respectively (Table 7).

The increased enzyme activities of soils, even after the fall of microbial biomass, seemed to be related to active enzymes within dead cells, associated cell fragments and activity of living cell (Skujin 1973) [22] . The trend of variation in urease activity in different types of soils of Konkan with and without FYM showed that the values increased with the time of incubation and the highest values were recorded at 60 DAI. After 60 DAI, the urease activity in different types of soils started decline to reach the low values at 120 DAI, which may be due to increase in temperature. Also observed decline in urease activity of Pasture and Hill soils of Orissa when the temperature was increased beyond 47 °C. Studies on urease activity in medium black, coastal saline and lateritic soils of Konkan done by Chavan (2002) [8] indicated increase in urease activity of all soils when the temperature was increased from 37 to 57 °C and then it declines rapidly with increase in temperature to 67 °C. Further, Chavan (2002) [8] noted that the increase in urease activity up to 57 °C might be due to higher activation of soil urease and subsequent decline at 67 °C might be due to partial inactivation of soil urease enzyme. Bremner and Mulvaney (1978) [6] while reviewing effect of temperature on urease activity of soils stated that at higher temperatures (65 to 90 °C) the urease activity is partially inactivated, but not completely destroyed. But, soil heating to a temperature of 105 °C, there is complete inactivation of soils urease. The trend in temporal variation of urease activity, as observed herein different soil types of Konkan with and without FYM was in conformity with that of Bhattacharyya et al. (2001) [4] in Bankura soils (Typic Haplustalf) (pH 5.2), Canning soils (Typic Endoaquept) (pH 7.2) and Jalpaiguri soils (Aeric Endoaquept) (pH 4.8) of West Bengal. The similar trend of initial increase and thereafter decrease of urease activity under incubation was also reported by Lal et al. (1996) [11] in Alfisol of Bihar. 7). Application of FYM significantly increased the urease activity over no application at all observation periods. Lal et al. (1996) [11] found increase in urease activity due to application of FYM under incubation in Alfisol of Bihar. Soils enzyme activities may be increased by the incorporation of organic material in the soil (Nannipieri et al. 1983) [15] . This increased activity has generally been attributed to increased microbial biomass resulting from organic matter enrichment in the soil (Praveen Kumar et al.

2007) [10] . This increase in activity may be due to incorporation and protection to the enzyme fraction upon increase in the soil humus content (Martens et al. 1992) [12] .

Interaction Effect

The interaction between soil types and FYM application was significant at 30 DAI, 60 DAI, 90 DAI and 120 DAI. Among interaction at 30 DAI, 60 DAI, 90 DAI and 120 DAI, the highest was registered by coastal alluvial soil with FYM application (T 1 ) 25.66 µg urea/g dry soil/hr, 38.66 µg urea/g dry soil/hr, 23.66 µg urea/g dry soil/hr and 15.66 µg urea/g dry soil/hr, respectively. In case of lowest, acid sulphete soils recorded the lowest value of 13.33 µg urea/g dry soil/hr, 23.66 µg urea/g dry soil/hr, 10.19 µg urea/g dry soil/hr and 3.66 µg urea/g dry soil/hr at 30 DAI, 60 DAI, 90 DAI and 120 DAI, respectively.

In an incubation study the urease activity of different soils of Konkan, the urease activity of coastal alluvial soil was the lowest (8.4 hr.) due to its coarse texture (72.96 % sand). It was highest in case of coastal saline soil (4.4 hr.) followed by Manat (5.2 hr.) and medium black (5.8 hr.) soils. These soils are almost neutral in reaction and containing higher proportion of silt and clay fraction. In comparison to these soils, the urease activity of lateritic soil was low (7.0 hr.), which was attributed to its acidic soil reaction (Anonymous 1990) [1] . Appreciable activity of ureolytic enzymes closely related to organic matter content in these soils indicated that the N use efficiency of urea applied to crops can be substantially reduced if not adequately incorporated or unless the slowrelease forms or neem oil / product blended /coated urea are used in these soils.

Phosphatase activity (µg PNP g -1 soil hr -1 ) of different soil types as influenced by FYM application Phosphatases are the indicators of rate of hydrolysis of the organic P in the soil (Tarafdar 2001) [23] . Moreover, phosphatase measured in soils reflect the activity of enzymes bound to soil colloids and humic substances, free phosphatases in the soil solution and phosphatases associated with living and dead plant debris or microbial cells (Nannipieri et al. 1990) [16] .

Soil Effect

The mean phosphates activity of different types of soils of Konkan region at various observation period ranged from 179 to 773 µg PNP g -1 soil hr -1 , 642 to 801 µg PNP g -1 soil hr -1 , 615 to 868 µg PNP g -1 soil hr -1 and 659 to 930 µg PNP g -1 soil hr -1 at 30 DAI, 60 DAI, 90 DAI and 120 DAI, respectively (Table 8).

The trend of variation in phosphates activity in different types of soils of Konkan with and without FYM showed that the values increased with the time of incubation and the highest values were recorded at 60 DAI. After 60 DAI, the phosphates activity in different types of soils started decline at 90 DAI, which further increased at 120 DAI. The increased enzyme activities of soils, even after the fall of microbial biomass, seemed to be related to active enzymes within dead cells, associated cell fragments and activity of living cell (Skujing 1973) [22] . The persistence of phosphates activity after attaining their peak values seemed to reflect the differential behavior of "protective capacity" of soils in respect of phosphates activity or it might be the continued production of phosphatase by the existing micro-organisms (Bhattacharyya et al. 2001) [4] . The trend in temporal variation of phosphatase activity, as observed herein different soil types of Konkan with and without FYM was in conformity with that of Bhattacharyya et al. (2001) [4] in Bankura soils (Typic Haplustalf) (pH 5.2), Canning soils (Typic Endoaquept) (pH 7.2) and Jalpaiguri soils (Aeric Endoaquept) (pH 4.8) of West Bengal. The similar trend of initial increase and thereafter decrease of phosphatase activity under incubation was also reported by Lal et al. (1996) [11] in Alfisol of Bihar. At 30 DAI and 90 DAI, Manat soils recorded the highest mean phosphates activity of 773 µg PNP g -1 soil hr -1 and 868 µg PNP g -1 soil hr -1 , respectively and at 60 DAI and 120 DAI reddish brown soils recorded the highest mean phosphates activity of 801 µg PNP g -1 soil hr -1 and 930 µg PNP g -1 soil hr -1 . In case lowest value, the coastal alluvial soils at 30 DAI and 120 DAI, recorded the lowest value of 579 µg PNP g -1 soil hr -1 and 659 and 615 µg PNP g -1 soil hr -1 at 30 60 DAI and 90 DAI, respectively.

FYM Effect

The phosphates activity of different types of soils of Konkan region at various observation period without FYM ranged from 526 to 758 µg PNP g -1 soil hr -1 , 546 to 775 µg PNP g -1 soil hr -1 , 579 to 844 µg PNP g -1 soil hr -1 and 651 to 859 µg PNP g -1 soil hr -1 at 30 DAI, 60 DAI, 90 DAI and 120 DAI, respectively and with FYM ranged from 632 to 809 µg PNP g -1 soil hr -1 , 649 to 807 µg PNP g -1 soil hr -1 , 649 to 895 µg PNP g -1 soil hr -1 and 667 to 947 µg PNP g -1 soil hr -1 at 30 DAI, 60 DAI, 90 DAI and 120 DAI, respectively (Table 8). Application of FYM significantly increased phosphates activity over no application at all observations. It may be due to the fact that FYM provides narrow and optimum C:P ratio which resulted in slow mineralization from organic forms of di-esters and mono-esters (Bedi et al. 2009) [2,3] . Lal et al. (1996) [11] found increase in phosphates activity due to application of FYM under incubation in Alfisol of Bihar.

Interaction Effect

The interaction between soil types and FYM application was not significant at all periods of observations.

Conclusion

The biological properties like CO 2 evolution, microbial biomass carbon, microbial count of bacteria, fungi, actinomycetes, dehydrogenase activity, urease activity and phosphates activity increased with the period of incubation irrespective of different soil types, which further enhanced with the application of FYM.

References

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