Influence of Sheep Manure on Soil Microbiota and the Vigor of Cucumber Seedlings in Soils Cultivated With Almond Trees

Miguel Ángel Gómez Tenorio, Magdaleno J., Castillo F. J., and Tello J. C.

1. Research Group AGR 200 “Plant Production in Mediterraneam Crop Systems”, Department of Agronomy, University of Almería, Almería

2. Alvelal Association. Regenerative Agriculture and Research Department, Almería

Abstract: This work is part of a project to regenerate the fertility of soils cultivated with almond trees and the landscape in the provinces of Granada and Almería carried out through the Alvelal Association. The trial was carried out on a dry land almond farm located in Chirivel (Almería) with 36 hectares of surface. This is managed with un application of sheep manure at a rate of 2000 kg/ha every two years, followed by a tillage pass, which has been carried out for more than 20 years repeatedly. Two soil samplings were carried out in November (2015) and July (2016). In the treatments tested, the parameters analyzed were: physical-chemical analysis, microbiological analysis and bioassays to evaluate fertility. The results show that the repetition of sheep manure applications increases different living fraction of the soil (fungi, bacteria, free-living nematodes) and the vigor of cucumber seedlings, improving soil fertility. However, the vesicular arbuscular mycorrhizae were significantly lower in the treatment with sheep manure.

Key words: microbiology, fertility, regeneration, organic matter, biodiversity