Sustainability 2009, 1(2), 268-276; doi:10.3390/su1020268
Soil Microbial Activity in Conventional and Organic Agricultural Systems
1
Laboratório de Qualidade do Solo, Universidade Federal do Piauí, Centro de Ciências Agrárias, Teresina, PI, 64000-000, Brazil
2
Embrapa Meio Norte, Av. Duque de Caxias, SN, Teresina, PI, 64000-000, Brazil
3
Universidade Estadual do Piauí, Av. Nossa Senhora de Fátima, Parnaíba, PI, 64202-220, Brazil
*
Author to whom correspondence should be addressed.
Received: 9 April 2009 / Accepted: 31 May 2009 / Published: 4 June 2009
Abstract
The aim of this study was to evaluate microbial activity in soils under conventional and organic agricultural system management regimes. Soil samples were collected from plots under conventional management (CNV), organic management (ORG) and native vegetation (AVN). Soil microbial activity and biomass was significantly greater in ORG compared with CNV. Soil bulk density decreased three years after adoption of organic system. Soil organic carbon (SOC) was higher in the ORG than in the CNV. The soil under organic agricultural system presents higher microbial activity and biomass and lower bulk density than the conventional agricultural system. View Full-Text
Figure 1
This is an open access article distributed under the Creative Commons Attribution License (CC BY 3.0).
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MDPI and ACS Style
Araújo, A.S.; Leite, L.F.; Santos, V.B.; Carneiro, R.F. Soil Microbial Activity in Conventional and Organic Agricultural Systems. Sustainability 2009, 1, 268-276.
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