Application of residue, inorganic fertilizer and lime affect phosphorus solubilizing microorganisms and microbial biomass under different tillage and cropping systems in a Ferralsol

Abstract

Reduced tillage increased microbial biomass and abundance of P solubilizers. Inorganic fertilisers reduced phosphorus solubilizing microbial abundance. Residue addition increased soil microbial biomass and abundance of P solubilizers. Intercropping increased microbial biomass and phosphorus solubilizers’ abundance. Liming reduced phosphorus solubilizing microbial species richness.