Changes in soil microbial biomass and aggregate stability following burning and soil rehabilitation

A greenhouse experiment was conducted in order to determine the influence of organic amendment, as compared with inorganic fertilization, and vegetation cover ( Lolium perennne L.) on microbial biomass and aggregate stability in burnt soils. The study was performed with soil samples from the ash layer of three pine forests differing in their physicochemical and chemical properties and affected by high-intensity wildfires about 3 and 36 months before the sampling. Two different doses of both poultry manure and NPK fertilizer were used. Similar results were observed independent of the soil; however, the fertilization effect was most pronounced in the soil collected 36 months after the wildfire. Significant increases in microbial biomass C were detected following poultry manure addition, particularly at high dose, while no changes or slight increases were found as a consequence of inorganic fertilization. A significant but varied response of microorganisms to plant growing was also observed. Revegetation and fertilization also modified the aggregate stability values, but different effects were detected depending on the fertilizer used (organic or inorganic) and the dose of application. A high positive and significant relationship between soil microbial biomass and aggregate stability was observed. The results clearly indicate that organic amendment combined with the implantation of a vegetation cover can improve the reestablishment of both microbial biomass and soil structure in burnt pine forests.