ISSN:
1432-0789
Keywords:
Key words Microbial biomass
;
Air-drying
;
Extractable
;
nitrogen
;
Extractable phosphorus
;
Tropical soil
Source:
Springer Online Journal Archives 1860-2000
Topics:
Biology
,
Geosciences
,
Agriculture, Forestry, Horticulture, Fishery, Domestic Science, Nutrition
Notes:
Abstract The microbial contribution to extractable N and P after the air-drying of eight Indian dry tropical Ultisols was quantified. Air-drying of the soils decreased microbial biomass C by 25–53% but increased extractable N and P by 14–34% and 24–121%, respectively. This increase in the extractable N and P was accounted for, to some extent, by microbial biomass killed due to air-drying. Microbial biomass contributes 17–36% and 19–82% to the extractable N and P, respectively, possibly due to air-drying of the soils. I conclude that due to contamination of microbial biomass with the available nutrients in air-dried soils, measurements of extractable nutrients should be made on field-moist soils.
Type of Medium:
Electronic Resource
URL:
http://dx.doi.org/10.1007/s003740050339
