| Author(s) | Abdullah M. Al-Falih* and Ali A. Al-Jaloud** |
| Affiliation | *Department of Science (Biology), Teachers College in Riyadh, P.O. Box 4341, Riyadh 11491, Saudi Arabia **Natural Resources and Environmental Research Institute, King Abdulaziz City for Science and Technology, P.O. Box 6086, Riyadh 11442, Saudi Arabia |
| Title | Microbiological Studies on Some Organic Materials Used as Soil Conditioners |
| Source | Journal of King Saud University. Agricultural Sciences. Volume 15, No 2. (2003/1423) |
| Abstract | Abstract. Sewage sludge, dairy manure, compost and poultry manure were added to sandy soil at a rate of 0, 25, 50 and 75 Mg ha-1. The effect of these organic materials on microbial population and enzymes activity was investigated. The addition of organic materials led to marked increase in soil salinity, microbial numbers and soil enzyme activities. All of these organic materials, with exception of compost, are rich in plant nutrients and heavy metals. Activities of the enzymes invertase, amylase, arylsulphatase, urease, dehydrogenase and phosphatase were also stimulated by the addition of organic materials. The optimum activity of soil enzymes reached at the rate of 50 Mg ha-1 of organic materials. Keywords: Organic materials, soil conditioners, bacteria, fungi, actinomycetes, enzymes. |
