Abstract
One of the main principles of organic farming systems is to build soil organic matter, and to cycle nutrients through microbially-mediated pools. At present there is limited information about the impact of organic farming systems on soil quality in the wheatbelt of West Australia. The aims of the present study were to determine soil biological and microbial properties at paired organically and conventionally managed sites using different techniques such as: microbial biomass, microbial N and P; microbial activity (respiration); potential N mineralisation by arginine ammonification; potential cellulose decomposition by the cotton strip test; and levels of root colonization by VA mycorrhizal fungi. A range of biological and microbial properties including microbial biomass, and microbial N and P pools were significantly higher in the organically managed soils than the conventionally managed soils.