Investigation of ecological properties of the soil in Nizip/Gaziantep Pistacia vera L. orchards

The aim of this study was to investigate the ecological properties of the soil in Nizip/Gaziantep Pistacia vera L. orchards. Four stations were determined in the research area. With this aim, phospholipid fatty acids, alkaline phosphatase enzyme activity (aPA), Cmic and Nmic content and Corg and Norg ratios of each soil samples were examined. It was found that the soils showed alkali character and soil texture were sandy loam, poor sandy loam and poor clayey loam. The amount of organic matter was found between 6.74 % and 3.78 %. Moreover, alkaline phosphatase enzyme activity was obtained between 188,33 and 291,97 μg/g. Besides, microbial nitrogen and carbon contents were found between 17.37 -35.43 and 154.94-307.28, respectively. In the soil samples of Nizip 16 different fatty acids including 14:0, 15:0, 16:0, 17:0, 18:0, a15:0, i15:0, i16:0, i17:0, cy17:0, cy19:0, 16:1⍵7t, 18:1⍵9c, 18:1⍵9t, 18:2⍵6 and 20:0 have been identified. Based on these results, bacteria PLFA bioindicator ratio was found to be higher than fungal PLFA bioindicator ratio. Further more, the rate of PLFA protozoa bioindicators has been found between 0% and 4%. By defining ecological characteristics of Nizip soils, this study will contribute to aggricultural practices and will provide consciously planned applications.