Effects of Crop Types on the Physicochemical and Biological Properties of Agricultural Soils in Semi-Arid Regions (Western Algeria)

Zouidi, Mohamed and Borsali, Amine Habib and Allam, Ayoub and Hadjout, Salah and Hadjadji, Imane and Chikhi, Djemaa and Farnet Da Silva, Anne-Marie (2023) Effects of Crop Types on the Physicochemical and Biological Properties of Agricultural Soils in Semi-Arid Regions (Western Algeria). Malaysian Journal of Soil Science (MJSS) (Malaysia), 27. pp. 80-96. ISSN 1394-7990

The soil is an element of the biosphere that forms the foundation for agricultural production. Agricultural practices can have a significant impact on the quality of soils, and therefore on the productivity and sustainability of agriculture. Thus, it is crucial to evaluate the impact of different crops on soil fertility and determine the most sustainable agricultural practices to maximize productivity while preserving soil quality. The present work examines the quality variability of agricultural soils due to cultivating different crops in a semi-arid zone in western Algeria. The research aims to compare the impact of three different crops (legumes, cereal and fruit tree cultivation) on the fertility of agricultural soils. To achieve this, we compared the physicochemical and biological properties of 75 soil samples distributed among three types of crops (five sampling stations of 400 m² per crop). The results show that agricultural soils in the studied areas are generally characterized by a sandy texture with differences in some physicochemical parameters, notably high moisture content and water retention in arboriculture (7,87%; 53%). Soils in cereal crops are rich in carbon (0,62 g/kg), whereas soils in legumes are rich in nitrogen (0,10 g/kg), which ensures good mineralization of organic matter (C/N: 5,15). Biological property analysis indicates that microbial biomass and its effectiveness are generally homogenous (p>0.05), with a small significant difference in basal respiration (P<0.05). The diversity of microflora (bacteria, fungi, and rhizobium) is influenced by organic matter differentiation caused by the agricultural practices used for each crop and their effects on the physicochemical properties of agricultural soils. In conclusion, this study shows that different types of crops have a significant impact on the quality of agricultural soils in a semi-arid zone in western Algeria. The results highlight the importance of considering the effects of different crops on soil properties to optimize crop yields and ensure the sustainability of agriculture in this region.

Full text available from: Official URL: https://www.msss.com.my/mjss/Full%20Text/vol27/V27...

Abstract

The soil is an element of the biosphere that forms the foundation for agricultural production. Agricultural practices can have a significant impact on the quality of soils, and therefore on the productivity and sustainability of agriculture. Thus, it is crucial to evaluate the impact of different crops on soil fertility and determine the most sustainable agricultural practices to maximize productivity while preserving soil quality. The present work examines the quality variability of agricultural soils due to cultivating different crops in a semi-arid zone in western Algeria. The research aims to compare the impact of three different crops (legumes, cereal and fruit tree cultivation) on the fertility of agricultural soils. To achieve this, we compared the physicochemical and biological properties of 75 soil samples distributed among three types of crops (five sampling stations of 400 m² per crop). The results show that agricultural soils in the studied areas are generally characterized by a sandy texture with differences in some physicochemical parameters, notably high moisture content and water retention in arboriculture (7,87%; 53%). Soils in cereal crops are rich in carbon (0,62 g/kg), whereas soils in legumes are rich in nitrogen (0,10 g/kg), which ensures good mineralization of organic matter (C/N: 5,15). Biological property analysis indicates that microbial biomass and its effectiveness are generally homogenous (p>0.05), with a small significant difference in basal respiration (P<0.05). The diversity of microflora (bacteria, fungi, and rhizobium) is influenced by organic matter differentiation caused by the agricultural practices used for each crop and their effects on the physicochemical properties of agricultural soils. In conclusion, this study shows that different types of crops have a significant impact on the quality of agricultural soils in a semi-arid zone in western Algeria. The results highlight the importance of considering the effects of different crops on soil properties to optimize crop yields and ensure the sustainability of agriculture in this region.

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Item Type:	Article
AGROVOC Term:	legumes
AGROVOC Term:	cereals
AGROVOC Term:	fruit trees
AGROVOC Term:	cropping systems
AGROVOC Term:	soil analysis
AGROVOC Term:	Rhizobium
AGROVOC Term:	soil fertility
AGROVOC Term:	soil quality
Geographical Term:	Algeria
Depositing User:	Mr. Khoirul Asrimi Md Nor
Date Deposited:	15 May 2025 02:54
Last Modified:	15 May 2025 02:54
URI:	http://webagris.upm.edu.my/id/eprint/2749

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