Dr Muhammad Sanaullah1, Mr. Abdul Qadeer1, Dr Abdul Wakeel1
1Institute of Soil & Environmental Sciences, University Of Agriculture, Faisalabad, Pakistan
Due to anthropogenic activities, greenhouse gases (GHGs) emissions, especially CO2 emissions have increased alarmingly, leading to climate change. These climatic changes result in uncertain rainfall causing drought stress and elevated global temperature which can have direct impacts on soil health and its functioning. Soil salinity is also increasing because of climate change. The aims of this research were to elucidate the effects of drought stress on soil organic matter (SOM) dynamics and health of normal and saline soils. An incubation experiment was carried out in controlled conditions where 50 g soil was used. Three different moisture levels optimum conditions, moderate drought and severe drought stress were maintained in normal and saline soils. Microbial biomass C as well as cumulative C-CO2 emissions were significantly higher in saline soils at optimum conditions compared with normal soil. While under drought stress, it was reverse than optimum conditions. Enzymatic analysis revealed that soil extracellular enzymes activities i.e. glucosidase, phosphatase, Leucine amino peptidase activity was significantly high at optimum conditions in normal soil while chitinase activity was also increased in saline soil but at moderate drought stress. It was concluded that the impact of climate change on SOM dynamics is different in normal and saline soils and GHGs emissions contribution from salt-affected soils must be considered separately.
Biography:
Bio to Come
