Microbial communities and their characteristics in a soil amended by nanozeolite and some plant residues: Short time in-situ incubation

Abstract

Soil microbial communities and their related characteristics are an important agent forsoil fertility, productivity, and sustainability. Also, they are useful indicators of soilquality and life index in agricultural systems. The objectives of this study were the effectof nanozeolite and plant residues on soil microbial communities and their characteristicsand also, the assessment of incubation timing on soil microbial properties. Soilmicroorganisms are very important in the decomposition of plant residues. In thisregard, the soil samples were treated by nanozeolite (0, 10 and 30% Weight), Alfalfa andwheat straw (0 and 5% Weight). The treated soil samples were incubated in labcondition for 90 days. The result of this study showed that Bacterial, Fungal, andActinomycete populations increased by the addition of 30% of nanozeolite and 5% ofplant residues, especially alfalfa straw. Also, the addition of nanozeolite and plantresidues treatments improved MBC, BR, and SIR as microbial characteristics. Theseparameters increased after 30 days of starting incubation, then decreased until the 75thday and finally increased slightly on the 90th day. In fact, the addition of nanozeolite andplant residues into the soil had positive effects on improvement of carbon pools andincreasing carbon sequestration in it. Applied nanozeolite and plant residues in soil,improved carbon pools and increased carbon sequestration in soil. Also the applicationof nanozeolite and plant residues especially alfalfa straw had positive effects onimprovement of soil biological communities and characteristics.