Comparison of Biological Indicators of Soil Quality of Horticultural Crops Based on No-tillage and Non-synthetic Systems

The aim of this study was to evaluate the microbial biomass carbon content, microbial biomass nitrogen content and enzyme activities of soils sampled in February, May and September 2018 as well as in February 2019. In soils where different horticulture crops grow, soil microbial carbon (Cmic) and nitrogen content (Nmic), macro- and micronutrients and soil enzyme activities were determined through statistical evaluations. Mean Cmic and Nmic values showed statistically significant seasonal fluctuations. In addition, the Nmic levels of the soils in the winter sampling were lower than those collected in the spring and summer months. The highest soil dehydrogenase enzyme activity was found in apple and date palm orchards, and the lowest in olive orchards. Soil urease enzyme activity varied between cultivars. “Cherry” and “plum” “orchard” soils have the highest and lowest urease enzyme activity. The results of this study revealed that the biological properties of the soil, which is the most sensitive indicator of soil quality, are positively affected in horticultural agriculture without soil tillage and synthetic application with an environmentally friendly approach, and that the biological properties of different fruit trees vary under the same conditions.