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Pak. J. Bot., 45(SI): 389-399, 2013.

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  Updated: 01-02-13

 

 

ANALYSIS OF SOIL MICROBIAL BIOMASS DYNAMICS IN RAINFED WHEAT FIELDS IN ARID ZONE OF PAKISTAN

 

ISRAR ASGHAR1, MUHAMMAD AKMAL1, MUHAMMAD ISHTIAQ2*,  MEHWISH MAQBOOL2 AND TANVEER HUSSAIN2

 

Abstract: Soil Microbial Biomass (SMB) dynamics in rainfed wheat fields was assessed. In study ½ NP @ of 40:20 kg ha-1 and full recommended dose of NP @ of 80:40 kg ha-1 was applied. A composite soil sample was taken and its electrical conductivity (ECe) was 0.38 dS m-1. SMB parameters such as Cmic, Nmic, Pmic, Cmic: Nmic and Cmic: Pmic were determined by fumigation extraction method. The Cmic, Cmic: Nmic and Cmic: Pmic values were highest at the early stage of crop then declined in the middle and lowest at the crop maturity. Whilst Nmic and Pmic were low in the initial growth period and at peak in middle and lowest at maturity. All indices of SMB were increased by utilization of a balance fertilizer as in CK, the total amount of Cmic, Nmic, Pmic, Cmic: Nmic and Cmic: Pmic during wheat growth was 861.08 mg kg-1, 84 mg kg-1, 31.91 mg kg-1, 83.81 mg kg-1 and 224.19 mg kg-1, respectively. In ½ NP dose it was1260.4 mg kg-1, 104.07 mg kg-1, 45.69 mg kg-1, 98.35 mg kg-1 and 230.33 mg kg-1, respectively whilst in NP dose it was 1435.42 mg kg-1,112.68 mg kg-1,59.65 mg kg-1,102.78 mg kg-1 and 198.5 mg kg-1, respectively. Seasonal variation depicted prevalent effect on SMB in the study. The average values of Cmic, Cmic: Nmic and Cmic: Pmic during drought period were higher than in rainy season. SMB fluctuation was ambient with regard to change in air and soil temperature. The considerable seasonal changes and variation due to fertilization in SMB indicated a direct relationship with nutrients availability which shed impact on growth and yield of crop.

 


1Department of Soil Science & Soil Water Conservation, Pir Mehr Ali Shah University Rawalpindi, (UAAR) Pakistan

2Department of Botany, Mirpur University of Science and Technology (MUST), Bhimber Campus, Bhimber, Azad Kashmir, Pakistan

*Corresponding author’s e-mail: drishtiaqajk@gmail.com


   
   

 

   
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