Not AvailableThe green revolution of the 1960s and 1970s which
resulted in dramatic yield increases in the developing Asian countries is
now showing signs of fatigue in productivity gains. Intensive agriculture
practice without adherence to the scientific principles and ecological
aspects has led to loss of soil health as well as depletion of freshwater
resources and agrobiodiversity (Kesavan and Swaminathan, 2008). In
order to improve the health of soil ecosystem to sustain or increase agricultural
production, it is essential to improve soil biological quality in
addition to physical and chemical properties. Soil microbial communities
perform necessary ecosystem services, including nutrient cycling, pathogen
suppression, stabilization of soil aggregates and degradation of xenobiotics.
Measurements of biologically active fractions of organic matter,
such as microbial biomass carbon and nitrogen, better reflect changes in
soil quality and productivity that alter nutrient dynamics.
Soil enzyme activity is not only considered as an important indicator
of soil health and quality, but it reflects the real picture of soil
microbial activity. Soil enzymes are believed to be able to discriminate
between soil management practices probably because they are
related to microbial biomass, which is sensitive to different treatments
(Nannipieri et al., 1990). Soil enzyme activities are important forNot Availabl
