Effect of Chemical Fertilization of Food Legumes on the Physical, Chemical and Microbiological Properties of Soil: Case of Chlef and Mostaganem, Algeria

Background: The use of chemical fertilizers is gaining importance for increasing crop productivity in Algeria. Application of these fertilizers in food legumes are also increasing due to poor native soil nutrients. Use of chemical fertilizers in food legumes may have varying impact on soil properties, which needs to be evaluated. Methods: In this study, various techniques were employed to evaluate the effect of chemical fertilizers on soil properties. Physicochemical and microbiological properties of soils of Chlef and Mostaganem were studied and correlations between the different parameters were assessed and compared with natural soil properties. Result: The comparison of the results clearly demonstrated the effect of chemical fertilizers on soil microbial life, particularly evident in root colonization and the mycorrhizal potential index (MPI). Chemical fertilizers reduced arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi by threefold or more compared to natural soil. Among the microbiological parameters studied, a significant increase was recorded in natural soil samples compared to those treated with chemical fertilizers.