Soil-Quality Indicators for Predicting Sustainable Organic Rice Production

Soil physical, chemical, and biological properties in a rice field located at the Surin Rice Research Center, Thailand, were evaluated as indicators for predicting organic rice (Kao Dok Mali 105 variety) production and yield. Four treatments under different management practices were studied. They included (1) conventional farming (CF) receiving chemical fertilizer application; (2) organic plot receiving green manure (GM) addition; (3) organic plot receiving rice straw (RS) addition; and (4) control plot (CT) without any external plant nutrient source. Soil quality in the four treatments was assessed based upon selected physical, chemical, and biological parameters. Key findings are as follows: cation exchange capacity (CEC), electrical conductivity (EC), pH, soil organic matter (SOM), and essential macronutrients [nitrogen (N), phosphorus (P), and potassium (K)] were low in all plots. Soil biological properties including potential N mineralization (PMN), soil basal respiration (BR), microbial biomass carb...