فهرست نشریات علمی دسترسی آزاد ایران

This study investigated the comparative effects of three distinct nutrient amendments—triple superphosphate (a mineral phosphate fertilizer), a phosphate-solubilizing biofertilizer, and vermicompost—on key biological parameters in soil cultivated with cauliflower (Brassica oleracea var. botrytis). The parameters assessed included soil microbial biomass carbon (SMBC), a robust measure of active microbial biomass, and the concomitant changes in culturable bacterial and fungal population densities. A pot or field experiment was conducted using a randomized complete block design with [X] treatments and [Y] replicates. Soil samples were collected at critical growth stages (e.g., seedling, curd initiation, and harvest) and analyzed using established protocols: the chloroform fumigation-extraction method for SMBC and serial dilution plating on selective media for bacterial and fungal counts. Preliminary results indicate significant treatment-based variations. Vermicompost application consistently promoted the highest SMBC and fostered a more abundant and diverse microbial community, likely due to its stable organic matter and nutrient complexity. The biofertilizer treatment also showed a significant enhancement in SMBC and specific bacterial populations compared to the unamended control, highlighting its role in mobilizing indigenous nutrients. In contrast, the triple superphosphate treatment, while effective in plant phosphorus nutrition, resulted in a less pronounced or moderated effect on overall microbial biomass and composition. These findings underscore the critical role of organic and bio-based amendments in enhancing soil biological quality, which is integral to developing sustainable nutrient management strategies for Brassica vegetable production systems within the agri-food industry.