Influence of land application of dairy factory effluent on soil nutrient status and the size, activity, composition and catabolic capability of the soil microbial community

► Irrigation of pastures with dairy factory effluent induces sodicity and accumulation of inorganic soil P. ► Irrigation has no effect on soil organic C content. ► Irrigation causes an increase in the size and activity of the soil microbial community. ► Catabolic capability of the microbial community remains unaltered. ► Structure and diversity of the bacterial community is unaffected.