A Comparative Analysis of Soil Properties Under Organic and Inorganic Triticum aestivum (Wheat) Farm Soil

Wheat (Triticum aestivum) is one of the important staple crop of India. Increased awareness in people about harmful effects of inorganic fertilizers on soil health turned some progressive farmers to use organic fertilizers. Present study is an attempt to scientifically analyze the effects of organic and inorganic fertilizers application on various physico-chemical, microbial and enzymatic properties of soil. Soil samples were collected from farms growing wheat crop under organic and inorganic fertilizers application. To replicate the results two farms from each category of organic and inorganic fertilizers application were selected in Cchodavadi village of Bhesan Taluka, Junagadh District, Gujarat, India. Soil samples were collected at two growth stages of crop i.e. from standing crop (pre-harvesting stage) and at post-harvest stage and analyzed for various physico-chemical, microbial and enzymatic properties following standard procedures. Results show that fungal diversity and population of phosphate solubilizers, yeast, rhizobium, azotobacter and actinomycetes were higher in organic soils than that of inorganic farm soil and further, their counts were found higher at pre-harvesting stage than post-harvesting. Similar trend was recorded for content of organic carbon and activities of phosphatase (acid and alkaline) and urease. On the other hand content of available nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium were found higher in inorganic soil compared to organic soil and here also their content were higher at pre-harvest stage than post-harvest. It can be concluded that application of organic fertilizers to soil improves its physico-chemical, microbial and enzymatic properties.