A master’s thesis in the College of Science has investigated the effect of burning plant residues on microbial content and the effectiveness of some soil enzymes and plant growth, by a student Wasan Ali Kazem and in the presence of the Dean of the College of Science, Assistant Professor Dr. Jassim Hanoun Hashem, the scientific and administrative assistants, and the head of the Department of biology.
The study aims to know the effect of burning plant residues on the microbial content of the soil (bacteria and fungi) and the ability of these microorganisms to analyze these plant residues, which are key to the cycle of nutrients in the soil. As well as, investigating the numbers of bacteria and fungi in general and the numbers of some species that are directly related to fertility Soil in particular, and evaluation of the efficacy of some soil enzymes, which serve as rapid indicators of soil fertility and as a guide to the effectiveness of soil microbiology.
The study has concluded that burning plant residues leads to a reduction in the microbial content of the soil (bacteria, fungi, and mycorrhizal fungi) and an increase in the numbers of Azotobacter bacteria, as well as the effect of the effectiveness of soil enzymes in the burning process. The burning processes contributed to improve some physical and chemical properties of the soil such as raising PH, EC, phosphorous, soil moisture content and (carbon and organic matter during the second burning period). However, the effect of burning was on nitrogen (and carbon and organic matter during the first burning period). Negatively, it’s level has decreased as a result of the volatilization of a large amount of it and a decrease in nutrients such as nitrogen during the burning process. It must be taken into account in the long term of the ecosystem. The burning process stimulated plant growth (mushroom) in terms of the dry weight of the vegetative group and the height of the seedling. This effect is one of the advantages attributed to the use of Incineration in plant residue management. The study has recommended not to use burning frequently and preferably conducting the burning process at spaced intervals as needed, as well as conducting an extensive study on the effect of burning on the nitrification process and root nodule bacteria in the soil.