Short-term effects of heat-treated organic fertilizers on soil microbiological quality during horticultural crop cultivation

Year 2025, Volume: 38 Issue: 3, 151 - 158, 16.12.2025

Elanur Ondag , Ismail Emrah Tavalı , Ahmet Safak Maltas

https://doi.org/10.29136/mediterranean.1743874

Abstract

This study investigates the effects of heat-treated organic fertilizers (sheep-goat manure-SGM, cattle manure-CM, poultry manure-PM, and vermicompost-VC) on the microbiological properties of sandy-calcareous soil during melon (Cucumis melo L.) and watermelon (Citrullus lanatus Thunb.) growing. The fertilizers were compared based on their effects on key soil microbial activity parameters. Based on the results obtained from statistical analysis, the effects of the applied fertilizers on soil microbiological properties were evaluated. According to these results, an increase in soil urease activity (melon: PM, watermelon: CM), alkaline phosphatase activity (melon: VC), β-glucosidase activity (melon: VC), dehydrogenase activity (melon: CM), and arylsulfatase activity (melon: PM, watermelon: PM) was observed. The microbiological properties of the soil cultivated with melon and watermelon were compared, and it was seen that urease activity in the soils with watermelon cultivation was 40% higher and dehydrogenase activity was 46% higher. On the other hand, arylsulfatase activity in the melon soil was determined to be 17% higher than that in the watermelon soil. Overall, heat-treated vermicompost and poultry manure appeared most effective in improving soil microbiological properties.

Keywords

Enzymatic activity , Horticulture , Microbial Dynamics , Soil health

Project Number

FYL-2023-6327

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