Effect of Biological Soil Amendments on Plant Growth and Soil Microbial Population in Peach Replant Sick Soil

Author: Johnson Lakra, Dharam Paul Sharma, Kuruva Mallikarjuna and Shashi Kant Ekka

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Abstract

Agriculture is demanding more environmentally safe, sustainable production practices due to the adverse effect of conventional practices on soil biological activity and diversity. Soil rehabilitation and root growth stimulation is also of prime importance in orchards suffering from peach replant disease (PRD). Present study hypothesized that the fumigation, biofumigation, soil microbial inoculants can improve soil microbial activity and feeder root development, thereby having a positive impact on tree growth in newly established orchards, especially PRD sites. Furthermore, the effect of the various treatments on soil microbial community activity was examined, using soil enzyme assays and conventional microbial plate counts. The biofumigaton that performed the best in terms of growth increase were Brassica seed meal combination with PGPR. Soil enzyme assays indicated significant changes in soil microbial activity, with fumigated soil showing lower activity. Soils amended with PGPR had higher microbial activity.

Keywords

Peach replant disease, biofumigation, PGPR, plant growth, soil viable microorganism, enzyme activity

Conclusion

from present investigations it can be concluded that combined treatment (Brassica seed meal+PGPR) wasmost effective to record positive influence of plant growth traits, total viable microbial count and soil enzymatic activities on the peach plants grown under replant sick soil in open field conditions.

References

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How to cite this article

Johnson Lakra, Dharam Paul Sharma, Kuruva Mallikarjuna and Shashi Kant Ekka (2023). Effect of Biological Soil Amendments on Plant Growth and Soil Microbial Population in Peach Replant Sick Soil. Biological Forum – An International Journal, 15(5a): 108-115.