Abstract

Intensive agricultural practices have led to widespread soil degradation, characterized by reduced organic matter content, compromised soil structure, and diminished biological activity. This study investigates the effectiveness of various organic amendments in restoring soil health parameters in intensively cultivated systems. A two-year field experiment was conducted comparing the effects of compost, biochar, vermicompost, and farmyard manure on soil physical, chemical, and biological properties. Results demonstrated significant improvements in soil organic carbon (SOC) content, with biochar treatments showing the highest increase (47.3% over control), followed by compost (38.2%), vermicompost (34.7%), and farmyard manure (28.4%). Soil bulk density decreased by 12-18% across all organic amendment treatments, while water holding capacity increased by 15-25%. Microbial biomass carbon improved substantially, with vermicompost showing the highest enhancement (52.3% increase). Enzymatic activities, including dehydrogenase and phosphatase, were significantly elevated in all organic amendment treatments. The study concludes that strategic application of organic amendments can effectively restore soil health in intensively cultivated systems, with biochar and vermicompost showing superior performance in carbon sequestration and biological activity enhancement, respectively.