@article{PAR00028451,
  title = {{R}ole of stockyard litter amendment in the short-term restoration of soil microbial efficiency in a lowland paddy},
  author = {{K}offi, {B}. {Y}. and {K}on{\'e}, {A}. {W}. and {K}on{\'e}, {B}. and {O}tinga, {A}. {N}. and {K}outika, {L}. {S}. and {M}asse, {D}ominique},
  editor = {},
  language = {{ENG}},
  abstract = {{B}eneficial effects of organic fertilisers in the management of soil fertility have been proven, but their role on soil functioning in {S}ub {S}aharan savanna lowlands remains understudied. {T}his study explores (i) the potential of stockyard litter ({SYL}) amendment in restoring soil microbial efficiency in a degraded lowland paddy in the short term and (ii) whether {SYL} amendment benefits soil spatial homogeneity. {T}hree treatments described as no fertilisation ({NF}), annual mineral fertilisation with {NPK} + urea for four years ({M}in{F}), and annual mineral fertilisation for three years followed by {SYL} amendment in the fourth year ({M}in{F}-{SYL}) were tested. {S}oil samples (0-20 cm depth) were collected in the fifth year and analysed for common soil chemical properties and diverse microbial and enzyme attributes in addition to the {CNP} stoichiometry. {E}ffects on the soil spatial homogeneity was assessed through the coefficient of variation ({CV}). {A}nnual application of {NPK} + urea led to significant decreases in the microbial biomass-{C} ({MBC}) (-45.4%) and {MBC}: {S}oil organic carbon ({SOC}) ratio (-49%) but sharp increases in carbon mineralization rate (+ 129%), beta-glucosidase (+ 219%) and the specific microbial activities, i.e., q{CO}2 (+ 233%), beta-glucosidase: {MBC} (+ 402%) and {F}luorescein diacetate hydrolysis ({FDA}): {MBC} (+ 64%). {O}f these attributes, one year after {SYL} amendment, the {MBC} and {MBC}: {SOC} ratio increased (+ 188.3 and + 127% respectively) to match values in the control ({NF}) while the opposite occurred with the specific microbial activities (-35%, -68% and - 60% for q{CO}2, beta-glucosidase: {MBC} and {FDA}: {MBC}, respectively). {T}his indicates a return back of the soil ecosystem to equilibrium. {T}he increase in {MBC} was especially associated with concentrations of exchangeable cations. {F}urthermore, the specific microbial activities exhibited negative correlations with soil p{H} while only q{CO}2 was positively associated with {SOC} and available {N}. {I}nterestingly, the {CV}s of the microbial attributes turned low or moderate following {SYL} application. {SYL} amendment on lowland paddy soils is effective in restoring soil {MBC} and specific activities after one year along with a beneficial effect on soil spatial homogeneity. {T}hese findings could help future-proof an ecologically intensified rice system in humid savanna areas of {A}frica.},
  keywords = {{A}griculture-livestock integration ; {M}icrobial ecophysiology ; {O}rganic rice farming ; {S}oil ecosystem resilience ; {S}oil stoichiometry},
  booktitle = {},
  journal = {{J}ournal of {S}oil {S}cience and {P}lant {N}utrition},
  volume = {[{E}arly access]},
  numero = {},
  pages = {[ p.]},
  ISSN = {0718-9508},
  year = {2024},
  DOI = {10.1007/s42729-024-02108-x},
  URL = {https://www.documentation.ird.fr/hor/{PAR}00028451},
}