Effects of short-term fallow managements on soil microbial properties: A case study in China

In summary, no fertilizer input could be favorable for carbon and nitrogen retention, and the NP improved some functional microorganisms, but it may lead to soil compaction. Cattle fertilizer could promote organic matter degradation, and MN enhanced the soil microbial biomass nitrogen and soil-borne disease resistance on crops, whereas MP could reduce the nitrogen and clay content loss and improve heavy metal bioremediation. During short fallowing periods, pasture plus farmyard fertilizer could markedly promote soil micro ecosystemic function. If there was no fertilizer input, natural fallow could be a considerable choice.