DEGRADED SOILS
The declining state of the environment makes it necessary to use new fertilization methods, which would have a positive impact on the biological functionality of the soil.
Special attention should be paid to degraded soils. In the southern and central southeastern areas of Europe ~25% of the total area are lands with high and very high sensitivity to degradation. Soil texture creates the conditions for living soil microbiota.
FERTILIZATION OF SANDY SOIL AND SILTY SOIL
The laboratory-based study tested the responses of biological soil health indicators (microbial biomass and their enzymatic activities) of two soil types (sandy soil and silty soil) under maize cultivation:
to 2 different mineral fertilizers amended with microbial biofertilizers (bacteria or fungi),
in two dosages (optimal and reduced),
at two points (one week and six months after application).
MICROORGANISMS IN DIFFERENT SOIL TEXTURES
The response of the examined microbiological indicators was different in both types of soils. The silty soil was characterized by higher biological activity than sandy soil.
The application of mineral fertilizers with biofertilizers increased microbiological activity in both types of soils even in reduced doses of additives used, however different soil structures would need optimization of the doses. The different time of response to fertilization should be also taken into consideration.
Microbial communities in soil ecosystems are key for soil functionality due to their role in organic matter transformation and nutrient cycling. The BIOTREX technology is a reliable biological indicator for soil health, allowing the demonstration of the effects of Ag-inputs on soil microbiome.
