CHANGES IN BIOLOGICAL PROPERTIES IN SOIL AMENDED WITH ROCK PHOSPHATE AND WASTE MICA ENRICHED COMPOST USING BIOLOGICAL AMENDMENTS AND CHEMICAL FERTILIZERS UNDER WHEAT-SOYBEAN ROTATION

The main aim of this research work is to prepare an enriched compost using rice straw mixed with rock phosphate, waste mica and Aspergillus awamori and to study their effect on changes in microbial properties in soils with and without chemical fertilizers under wheat-soybean rotation. Data revealed that significant increase in microbial biomass carbon (MBC), dehydrogenase activity, phosphatase activities, and microbial biomass phosphorus (MBP) in soil were maintained in enriched compost than ordinary compost after both the crops. Significant increase in MBC, dehydrogenase activity, phosphatase activities, and MBP were found in surface soil. The maximum microbial activities were observed in the treatment receiving 50% recommended dose of fertilizer (RDF) + enriched compost at 5 t ha(-1) indicating that integrated use of chemical fertilizers and enriched compost significantly improved the biological properties of soil under wheat-soybean rotation thereby enhanced soil fertility and crop production.