Changes in biological soil quality indicators under saline soil condition after amelioration with alfalfa (Medicago sativa L.) cultivation in meadow Solonchak

Abstract

Land use and amelioration practices are considered as main drivers in change of biological soil quality indicators in meadow Solonchaks. To gain insight into the impact of amelioration with alfalfa (Medicago sativa L.) cultivation on the underlying soil microbiological and biochemical properties, the objective of this study was to determine the effect of alfalfa (Medicago sativa L.) cultivation on biological soil quality indicators such as microorganisms counts, microbial biomass, basal soil respiration and enzyme activities (dehydrogenase, catalase, -glucosidase, protease, urease, alkaline phosphatase and arylsulphatase) in meadow Solonchak. Post-amelioration with alfalfa cultivation influenced the soil microbiological and biochemical properties and increased soil organic matter content and improved biological soil quality indicators. The results of this study may contribute to future researches for soil microbial communities in different type of amelioration practices in soil quality and sustainable productivity meadow Solonchaks.

Keywords

• Amelioration
• microorganisms
• saline soil
• soil quality