The impact of tillage and residue management on soil microorganisms was studied over the maize (Zea mays L.) growing season in southwestern Quebec. Tillage and residue treatments were imposed on a sandy loam to loamy sand soil in fall 1991. Treatments consisted of no till, reduced tillage, and conventional tillage with crop residues either removed from (-R) or retained on (+R) experimental plots, laid out in a randomized complete block design. Soil microbial biomass carbon (SMB-C), soil microbial nitrogen (SMB-N) and phospholipid fatty acid (PLFA) concentrations were measured four times, at two depths (0--10 cm, 10--20 cm), over the 2001 growing season. Sample periods were: May 7th (pre planting), June 25 th, July 16th, and September 29th (prior to corn harvest). The effect of time was of a greater magnitude than those attributed to tillage or residue treatments. While SMB-C showed no seasonal change (160 mug C g-1 soil); SMB-N was responsive to mineral nitrogen fertilizer; and PLFA data showed an increase in fungi and total PLFA throughout the season. PLFA profiles showed better distinction between sampling period, and depth, than treatments. Of the two treatments, the effect of residue was more pronounced than that of tillage, with increased SMB-C and SMB-N (6.1% and 96%) in +R plots compared to -R plots. This study illustrated that measuring soil quality based on soil microbial components must take into account seasonal changes in soil physical, chemical conditions, and nutrient supply.

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