Soil Enzyme Activities and Their Relationship with Soil Physico-Chemical Properties and Oxide Minerals in Coastal Agroecosystem of Puducherry

Abstract

The objectives of our research were to assess the soil enzyme activities in relation with soil physicochemical and oxide minerals in the coastal agroecosystem of Puducherry region, India. Soils from nine farms in organic (ORG), sustainable (SUS), and conventional (CON) farming were sampled. Organically managed farming system soils contain significantly higher amounts of soil total N, organic carbon, and a higher level of microbial biomass C and N. Urease, protease, β-glucosidase, cellulose, saccharase, xylanase, and alkaline phosphatase enzyme activities were higher in organic farming system soils compared to sustainable and conventional farming soils. In addition, silt, clay, Al₂O₃, CaO, Fe₂O₃, K₂O, MgO, MnO, Na₂O, and P₂O₅ oxides were higher in organic farming soil and they showed a significant positive correlation with soil enzyme activities. Our study revealed that soil enzyme activities and soil minerals were significantly affected by farm management practices. The organic farming system had improved the soil health, enzyme activities, and plant available nutrients in coastal agro-ecosystem.

Keywords:

• Coastal agroecosystem
• farm management practices
• oxide minerals
• soil enzymes
• soil physicochemical properties

Acknowledgments

The authors thank the Department of Ecology and Environmental Science, Pondicherry University for providing laboratory facilities in order to conduct the experiment. The authors also thank the Central Instrumentation Facility, Pondicherry University for soil element analysis.

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the authors.