Effects of Different Compost Amendments on Soil Biotic and Faunal Feeding Activity in an Organic Farming System

Abstract

ABSTRACT Soil biological activity was measured after the application of different composts to potatoes in a field trial. The study is part of a project designed to evaluate the long-term effects of compost application on soil properties. Microbial activity was measured using the fluorescein diacetate (FDA) hydrolysis and faunal feeding activity was estimated with the bait-lamina test according to von Törne (1990). Data were compared with results of collembola and acari population densities obtained in earlier studies in the same field trial. The treatments were composted farmyard manure with and without hornmeal supplementation, biogenic waste compost and mineral fertilizer. The soil microbial and faunal feeding activity responded to the compost amendment with higher activity rates than with mineral fertilization. Highest values of both were found after application of biogenic waste compost. However, additional application of hornmeal in the farmyard compost treatment did not result in higher activity rates throughout the year.