Microbial Metabolic Activity on a Drip Irrigated Cotton Field After Ten Years of Saline Water Irrigation and Nitrogen Fertilizer Application on Arid Soil

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Irrigation with saline water can impact metabolic activity of soil microbial by altering the soil environment. The aim of this study was to reveal the influence of saline water irrigation on soil physicochemical properties and microbial metabolic activities. For this, a ten years saline water irrigation experiment was conducted in Shihezi, Xinjiang Province, China. Results indicated that saline water irrigation reduced soil pH, total N (TN), organic matter (SOM), and basal respiration (SBR), however, soil salinity increased significantly. Nitrogen application increased soil salinity, SOM, TN, and SBR, but reduced soil pH. Saline water irrigation had significant negative effect on soil microbial metabolic activities. Nitrogen application significantly reduced soil microbial metabolic activities in the fresh water irrigation but had no significant effect under saline water irrigation treatment. Water salinity and N amount remarkably affected carbon (C) utilization patterns of the microbial communities, especially the utilization of amino acids, amines, and phenols. The D-Cellobiose, D-Xylose, D-Mannitol, -Methyl-DGlucoside, i-Erythritol, -D-Lactose, L-Serine, L-Asparagine, LPhenylalanine, -Hydroxybutyric acid, Putrescine and 4-Hydroxy Benzoic Acid were the sole carbon sources. The results of this study increase our understanding of soil biological processes under saline conditions in arid regions.