Impact of Netted vs Non-Netted Agriculture on Soil Microbial Diversity and Activity in Cameron Highlands
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.53797/agrotech.v4i2.1.2025Keywords:
Soil Microbial Diversity, Regenerative Agriculture, Sustainable Soil Health, Protected Cultivation Systems, Functional Metabolic ProfilingAbstract
Soil microbial diversity underpins sustainable crop productivity, yet its responsiveness to protected cultivation systems remains poorly understood. This study offers the first comparative insight into how netted structures influence microbial functional traits in highland agroecosystems. Soil samples were analyzed using soil suspension method to isolated microbes based on its characteristic. It was then further analyzed using Biolog EcoPlates to evaluate microbial populations and substrate utilization. Findings revealed that non-netted structures supported a higher abundance of beneficial microbes, including nitrogen-fixers and phosphate-solubilizers, however it was observed that phosphate solubilizer microbes were absent in the netted system. Microbial diversity was greater in non-netted soils with the Shannon Index of 3.389 than in netted soils of just 3.350, alongside enhanced metabolic activity (Average Well Color Development of 1.960 vs. 1.650 respectively for both non-netted and netted structure). Substrate usage differed markedly, with microbes in netted soils primarily metabolizing carboxylic acids, while those in non-netted soils preferred amino acids. These results suggest that netted agricultural structures may suppress microbial populations and their functional potential, likely due to changes in the microclimatic. Optimizing protected cultivation systems to preserve microbial diversity is therefore essential for sustainable soil health.
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Copyright (c) 2025 Jeffrey Lim Seng Heng, Nor Ayshah Alia Ali Hassan, Norzaimawati Aman Nejis, Halizah Hamzah
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