Canola traits and some soil biological parameters in response to fertilization and tillage management

Abstract

This study describes the effects of fertilization and tillage methods on soil microbial community and canola traits. A field experiment was carried out in 2009 to 2010 growing season. Experiments were arranged in a split plot based on randomized complete block design with three replications. Main plots consisted of no tillage (T1), minimum tillage (T2) and conventional tillage (T3). Six strategies for obtaining the basal fertilizer requirement including (N1): farmyard manure; (N2): compost; (N3):chemical fertilizers; (N4): farmyard manure + compost; (N5): farmyard manure + compost + chemical fertilizers and (N6): control, were arranged in sub plots. Results show that the activities of all enzymes were generally higher in the N4 treatment than in the unfertilized and chemical fertilizer treatments. The phosphatase, catalase and urease activities in the N3 treatment were significantly lower than in the farm yard manure (FYM) and compost treatments (CT). The activity of all enzyme activity tended to be higher in the NT treatment. The highest leaf N, P and K containing grain and grain yield was obtained from N5 treatment. Applying CT system caused to a reduction in grain yield as compared with chisel plowing.

Key words: Enzyme activity, compost, farmyard manure, tillage.