Changes in Some Soil Chemical and Biological Properties on the Growing Season of Sesame in Çukurova Region

Abstract

In present study, some soil characteristics of Sesamum indicum L. (Sesame) and itsadjacent blank field (control) were compared in a growing season as pre (Pre C and Pre S )and post (Post C and Post S ) harvest in Adana, Turkey. Soil macro (C, N, P and K) andmicronutrients (Cu, Zn, Mn and Fe), carbon (C min ) and nitrogen mineralizations and soilaerobic bacteria and fungi counts were determined in before and after harvest soils. Soilswere humidified at 80% of their field capacity and then monitored for 45 days at 28 °C todetermine soil carbon (C min ) and nitrogen (N min ) mineralization. Generally, macro andmicronutrients (Cu, Zn, Mn and Fe) were higher in control than sesame field exceptphosphorus (P 2 O 5 ) and there were found significant differences between them before andafter harvest. Aerobic bacteria and fungi populations were decreased after harvest whilefungi populations were increased in sesame soils compared to control. Soil CO 2 -Cevolution was higher in sesame field than control. Rates of carbon mineralization was inorder as following Post C < Pre C < Post S < Pre S . Rate of N min was significantly higher insesame soils before harvest but it was lower after harvest compared to control. Carbonmineralization rates in sesame grown soils were significantly decreased and it was inorder as following Post C < Pre C < Post S < Pre S . Decrease in soil carbon mineralizationafter harvest can be explained with decrease in soil microbial populations in short term.