Microbiological and basic agrochemical properties of Eutric Cambisols in western and southwestern Serbia

One of the most common soil types in area of western and south-western Serbia is the Eutric Cambisol. In order to determine biogenity of this soil type, the presence of total microflora, fungi, actinomycetes, ammonifiers, Azotobacter sp. and oligonitrophils, as well as dehydrogenase activity were examined. Samples were taken from soils used in two different ways (plough fields and meadows). Standard microbiological methods of inoculation a certain decimal dilution on appropriate nutrient media were used. No correlation between the number of microorganisms and type of the soil usage was found. In localities that were under plough fields and meadows, the presence of Azotobacter sp. was confirmed, as an indicator of soil fertility. The correlation of dehydrogenase activity with the total number of microorganisms was not observed. Agrochemical analysis showed acidic to weakly acidic soil reaction, medium to high percentage of organic matter, low content of easily available phosphorus and high content of easily available potassium. There was no correlation between chemical properties of the soil and the number of microorganisms in examined soil type.