The effect of liming on the complex of soil microorganisms and the humus status of a soddy-podzolic soil in a long-term experiment

The influence of the prolonged application of different lime doses (including elevated ones) on the complex of soil microorganisms and the humus status of a sandy loamy soddy-podzolic soil was studied in a long-term field experiment. The content of labile humus substances extracted with 0.1 M KCl (pH 4.3-4.4) and that of organic matter extracted with hot water became reduced. When liming, the number of all the bacterial groups significantly increased. On the contrary, the number of micromycetes decreased by 3.5-4.2 times. However, the liming did not cause any changes in the complex of soil microorganisms and the content of organic matter, thus indicating the normal functioning of the whole soil ecosystem.