Soil microbial activities in Luvisols and Anthrosols during 9 years of region-typical tillage and fertilisation practices in northern Germany

In order to evaluate soil functions of contemporary agricultural management practices, the adjustment of microbial biomass and C and N mineralisation capacities was monitored during 9 years following the implementation of conventional and reduced tillage, and mineral N and pig slurry fertilisation systems. Soil microbial biomass content and microbial activities decreased continuously from initial values. The decrease was slowed by slurry application, compared to either no or mineral N fertilisation, and both slurry and mineral N application stimulated soil microbial activities in the long-term. There were no significant differences in microbiological characteristics between conventional and reduced tillage for the 0 to 30 cm soil depth but microbial biomass and activity were highest from 0 to 15 cm depth under reduced tillage. Changes in several microbial properties became evident when analysing the whole experiment of 9 years and the soil unit is also of importance as shown by higher microbial activity level in Anthrosols in comparison to Luvisols.