Impact of Fertigation on Soil Microbial Community and Enzyme Activities Cropped with Maize (cultivar. COMH 1) under Precision Farming System
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Author:M. Jeya Bharathi, D. Balachandar, R. Narayanan and K. Kumar
p-ISSN:0024-9602, e-ISSN:2582-5321, Vol:98, Issue:jan-mar
DOI: https://doi.org/10.29321/MAJ.10.100249
Abstract
Precision farming is an integrated plant nutrient management system attempt to deliver the
inputs actual crop needs without disturbing the entire farming area. The fertilizers in liquid
state will be delivered through laterals directly to the root zone at high concentrations. Soil
microorganisms are potential resources for soil productivity and sustainability, intended to
be influenced by various anthropogenic-and farming activities. Hence in present study, we
have investigated that the effect of different dose of liquid fertilizers on changes in soil
microbial populations and enzyme activities of maize in comparison with conventional practice
of fertilization. The results clearly revealed that all the fertilization reduced the microbial
population and enzyme activities of maize rhizosphere and among the fertigations, 75 per
cent of recommended NPK in the form of liquid fertilizer had a less reduction in the population
of Azospirillum, P solubilising bacteria and total diazotrophs, soil respiration and enzyme
activities. Hence it is evident from the study that the use of more organic manures and
microbial inoculants along with inorganic chemicals fertilizers, as integrated approach is
needed for precision farming.
Key words : Azospirillum; Fertigation; Maize; Precision farming; Soil enzymes