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 ofbiological soil quality indicators in meadow Solonchaks. To gain insight into the impactof amelioration with alfalfa (Medicago sativa L.) cultivation on the underlying soilmicrobiological and biochemical properties, the objective of this study was to determinethe effect of alfalfa (Medicago sativa L.) cultivation on biological soil quality indicatorssuch as microorganisms counts, microbial biomass, basal soil respiration and enzymeactivities (dehydrogenase, catalase, -glucosidase, protease, urease, alkalinephosphatase and arylsulphatase) in meadow Solonchak. Post-amelioration with alfalfacultivation influenced the soil microbiological and biochemical properties and increasedsoil organic matter content and improved biological soil quality indicators. The results ofthis study may contribute to future researches for soil microbial communities indifferent type of amelioration practices in soil quality and sustainable productivitymeadow Solonchaks.