Microbiological productivity of mine spoils as influenced by the incorporation of organic amendments

Both gypsum and limestone mine spoils were modified by incorporating variou s organic amendments in different proportions in order to study the micro-b iological productivity of these modified spoils and the possibility of grow ing different plant species on them. It was found that soil micro-biologica l productivity, indicated by the activities of various soil enzymes (dehydr ogenase, acid and alkaline phosphatases and N-2-ase) and the populations of different microorganisms, was significantly improved with the incorporatio n of various amendments. The maximum increase in the soil micro-biological productivity of gypsum mine spoils was observed with sewage sludge, while t he microbiological productivity of limestone mine spoil was greatest with n ormal soil plus FYM and/or pond silt plus FYM. Similarly the growth of diff erent plant species was improved in both gypsum and limestone mine spoils w ith the incorporation of various organic amendments. From the results it is suggested that there is some positive relationship between soil micro-biol ogical productivity and the biomass production of various plant species gro wing on these modified mine spoils.