Hydrolytic soil enzymes and their response to fertilization: a short review

Enzymes are proteins that catalyze chemical reactions in living systems, transforming specific substrates into the products needed in biological cycles and for many edaphic processes. Soil enzymatic activities have been proposed as soil quality indicators, due to their relation with soil biology. Although the long-term effects of organic and mineral fertilization on physical and chemical soil properties have been previously studied, little is known about their effects on microbial community structure, microbial biomass carbon, microbial activity and enzymatic activity. Some studies report that organic and mineral fertilizers can affect, be it positively or negatively, microbial biomass size as well as soil microbial activity. This work examines the effect of fertilization on the enzymatic activity of soil hydrolases.

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Evaluation of different pig slurry composts as fertilizer of horticultural crops: Effects on selected chemical and microbial properties

Renewable Agriculture and Food Systems ◽

10.1017/s1742170507001913 ◽

2007 ◽

Vol 22 (4) ◽

pp. 307-315 ◽

Cited By ~ 9

Author(s):

Margarita Ros ◽

Carlos García ◽

Maria Teresa Hernandez

Keyword(s):

Microbial Activity ◽

Soil Quality ◽

Mineral Fertilizer ◽

Experimental Period ◽

Soil Microbial Activity ◽

Mineral Fertilizers ◽

Organic Carbon Content ◽

Pig Slurry ◽

Mineral Fertilization ◽

Horticultural Crops

AbstractThe excessive use of mineral fertilizers affects soil quality, gives rise to environmental problems and consumes energy. In contrast, organic amendment may improve soil quality at the same time as providing nutrients to plant. The aim of the work was to study the effects on crop yield and soil microbial activity of the successive addition of mineral fertilizers and fresh pig slurry before each successive crop compared with one sole application of different pig slurry composts (solid fraction of a pig slurry (CSFPS) and fresh pig slurry plus wood shavings (1:1 v/v; CPS+WS) before planting the first crop. Compost-treated soils exhibited higher organic carbon content than inorganically fertilized soils, throughout the experimental period. However, N content in the former soils was lower than in the latter after the second crop. Nevertheless, yields obtained with repeated additions of fresh pig slurry or with a sole application of pig slurry composts were similar to those obtained with repeated mineral fertilization. After the horticultural crops, organically treated soils generally showed higher values of both microbial biomass and metabolic microbial activity (measured as basal respiration and dehydrogenase activity) than the soil receiving mineral fertilization. Subsequently, the organically amended soils showed higher protease, phosphatase and β-glucosidase activities than the inorganically fertilized soil and similar levels of urease activity. From this study it can be concluded that both fresh and composted pig slurry can be used as an alternative for mineral fertilizer in growing horticultural crops and maintaining soil quality.

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Rhizospheric activity of phytoremediation species in soil contaminated with picloram1

Pesquisa Agropecuária Tropical ◽

10.1590/1983-40632016v4743289 ◽

2017 ◽

Vol 47 (2) ◽

pp. 127-133 ◽

Cited By ~ 3

Author(s):

Wendel Magno de Souza ◽

Fernanda Aparecida Rodrigues Guimarães ◽

Matheus de Freitas Souza ◽

Daniel Valadão Silva ◽

Christiane Augusta Diniz Melo

Keyword(s):

Zea Mays ◽

Microbial Biomass ◽

Microbial Activity ◽

Plant Species ◽

Microbial Biomass Carbon ◽

Soil Microbial Activity ◽

Metabolic Quotient ◽

Panicum Maximum ◽

Biomass Carbon ◽

Urochloa Brizantha

ABSTRACT Some plant species have the ability to stimulate the microbiota activity in the rhizosphere and thereby increase the herbicide degradation in the soil. This study aimed at evaluating the microbial activity of soils contaminated with picloram and pre-cultivated with phytoremediation species. The experimental design was completely randomized, with three replicates. The treatments were organized in a 5 x 2 factorial scheme, with the first factor being the types of cultivation (autoclaved and non-autoclaved soil without cultivation and soil from the rhizosphere of Urochloa brizantha, Panicum maximum and Zea mays) and the second factor referring to the absence or presence (240 g ha-1) of picloram. The evolved C-CO2, microbial biomass carbon and metabolic quotient were estimated. The herbicide altered the evolved C-CO2, however, it did not affect the microbial biomass carbon and the metabolic quotient in the rhizospheric soils of the species. The cultivation of Zea mays increased the rhizosphere activity. The three plant species affect the soil microbial activity, however, the cultivation of Panicum maximum and Urochloa brizantha cause a lower disturbance on the microbial population, if compared to Zea mays. The picloran application does not affect the biological quality of the soils studied.

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Ant nests as a microbial hot spots in a long-term heavy metal-contaminated soils

Environmental Science and Pollution Research ◽

10.1007/s11356-021-16384-y ◽

2021 ◽

Author(s):

Beata Klimek ◽

Hanna Poliwka-Modliborek ◽

Irena M. Grześ

Keyword(s):

Microbial Biomass ◽

Microbial Activity ◽

Respiration Rate ◽

Metal Content ◽

Soil Microbial Activity ◽

Bulk Soil ◽

Lasius Niger ◽

Soil Microbial ◽

Ant Nests

AbstractInteractions between soil fauna and soil microorganisms are not fully recognized, especially in extreme environments, such as long-term metal-polluted soils. The purpose of the study was to assess how the presence of Lasius niger ants affected soil microbial characteristics in a long-term metal-polluted area (Upper Silesia in Poland). Paired soil samples were taken from bulk soil and from ant nests and analysed for a range of soil physicochemical properties, including metal content (zinc, cadmium, and lead). Microbial analysis included soil microbial activity (soil respiration rate), microbial biomass (substrate-induced respiration rate), and bacteria catabolic properties (Biolog® ECO plates). Soil collected from ant nests was drier and was characterized by a lower content of organic matter, carbon and nitrogen contents, and also lower metal content than bulk soil. Soil microbial respiration rate was positively related to soil pH (p = 0.01) and negatively to water-soluble metal content, integrated into TIws index (p = 0.01). Soil microbial biomass was negatively related to TIws index (p = 0.04). Neither soil microbial activity and biomass nor bacteria catabolic activity and diversity indices differed between bulk soil and ant nests. Taken together, ant activity reduced soil contamination by metals in a microscale which support microbial community activity and biomass but did not affect Biolog® culturable bacteria.

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The impact of windthrow and fire disturbances on selected soil properties in the Tatra National Park

Soil and Water Research ◽

10.17221/9/2008-swr ◽

2008 ◽

Vol 3 (Special Issue No. 1) ◽

pp. S74-S80 ◽

Cited By ~ 16

Author(s):

E. Gömöryová ◽

K. Střelcová ◽

J. Škvarenina ◽

J. Bebej ◽

D. Gömöry

Keyword(s):

Microbial Biomass ◽

Microbial Activity ◽

National Park ◽

Soil Microbial Activity ◽

N Mineralisation ◽

Soil Microbial ◽

Microbial Characteristics ◽

Fire Disturbances ◽

Tatra National Park ◽

The Impact

: In November 2004, forest stands in the Tatra National Park (TANAP) were affected by windthrow and in July 2005, the wildfire broke out on a part of the affected area. The objective of this study is to evaluate the impact of the windthrow and fire disturbances on soil microbial activity. Basal and potential soil respiration, N-mineralisation, catalase activity, soil microbial biomass, and cellulase activity were measured in soil samples taken from the A-horizon (depth of 0–10 cm) along 100 m transects established on 4 plots (reference site, burnt, non-extracted, and extracted sites) in October 2006. Some soil microbial characteristics exhibited a high spatial variability, especially microbial biomass and N-mineralisation. Significant differences in soil microbial characteristics (especially basal soil respiration and catalase activity) between plots were found. Generally, the highest microbial activity was revealed on the plot affected by fire. Soil microbial activity was similar on the extracted and non-extracted sites.

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The Effects of Nicosulfuron and Glyphosate on Microbial Activity of Different Soils

Planta Daninha ◽

10.1590/s0100-83582018360100103 ◽

2018 ◽

Vol 36 (0) ◽

Cited By ~ 2

Author(s):

Lj. ŠANTRIC ◽

Lj. RADIVOJEVIC ◽

J. GAJIC-UMILJENDIC ◽

M. SARIC-KRSMANOVIC ◽

R. ÐUROVIC-PEJCEV

Keyword(s):

Microbial Biomass ◽

Microbial Activity ◽

Microbial Biomass Carbon ◽

Chemical Properties ◽

Biomass Carbon ◽

Treatment Rate ◽

Negative Effects ◽

Test Parameters ◽

Laboratory Changes ◽

Physical And Chemical

ABSTRACT: The effects of the nicosulfuron and glyphosate herbicides on microbial activity in two soils with different physical and chemical properties (loam and sand) were investigated. Nicosulfuron was applied at the rates of 0.3, 0.6, 3.0 and 30.0 mg kg-1 soil and glyphosate at 32.6, 65.2, 326.0 and 3260.0 mg kg-1 soil in the laboratory. Changes in dehydrogenase and urease activity, as well as in microbial biomass carbon, were examined. Samples for the analysis were collected at 3, 7, 14, 30 and 45 days after herbicide application. The results showed that the effects of nicosulfuron and glyphosate depended on treatment rate, duration of activity, test parameters and soil types. In general, application of the herbicides significantly increased the activity of dehydrogenase and urease. Nicosulfuron had a stimulating activity on microbial biomass carbon in loam, while both herbicides demonstrated negative effects on the parameter in the sandy soil.

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Effects of probiotics on soil microbial activity, biomass and enzymatic activity under cover crops in field and greenhouse studies

Agroforestry Systems ◽

10.1007/s10457-016-9895-1 ◽

2016 ◽

Vol 90 (5) ◽

pp. 811-827 ◽

Cited By ~ 6

Author(s):

Ahsan M. Rajper ◽

Ranjith P. Udawatta ◽

Robert J. Kremer ◽

Chung-ho Lin ◽

Shibu Jose

Keyword(s):

Enzymatic Activity ◽

Microbial Activity ◽

Cover Crops ◽

Soil Microbial Activity ◽

Soil Microbial

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MICROBIAL BIOMASS AND EXTRACTABLE SULFATE SULFUR LEVELS IN NATIVE AND CULTIVATED SOILS AS INFLUENCED BY AIR-DRYING AND REWETTING

Canadian Journal of Soil Science ◽

10.4141/cjss89-091 ◽

1989 ◽

Vol 69 (4) ◽

pp. 889-894 ◽

Cited By ~ 6

Author(s):

V. V. S. R. GUPTA ◽

J. J. GERMIDA

Keyword(s):

Microbial Biomass ◽

Key Words ◽

Microbial Activity ◽

Microbial Biomass Carbon ◽

Biomass Carbon ◽

Air Drying ◽

Sulfate Sulfur ◽

Drying And Rewetting ◽

Source And Sink ◽

Cultivated Soils

Air-drying decreased (> 80%) microbial activity, microbial biomass carbon (MB-C) and sulfur (MB-S) levels of both native and cultivated soils. This resulted in a flush (~ 4 μg g−1) in the 0.01 M CaCl2 extractable SO4-S. Rewetting soils restored microbial activity and biomass contents to their original levels, but this led to immobilization of the SO4-S. Restoration of the MB-S levels was slower than MB-C levels. Thus, during drying and rewetting cycles, the MB-S pool acts as both a source and sink for the SO4-S pool in soil. Key words: Microbial activity, microbial biomass sulfur, extractable sulfate sulfur

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The Potential of Biochar Made from Agricultural Residues to Increase Soil Fertility and Microbial Activity: Impacts on Soils with Varying Sand Content

Agronomy ◽

10.3390/agronomy11061174 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 11 (6) ◽

pp. 1174

Author(s):

Martin Brtnicky ◽

Tereza Hammerschmiedt ◽

Jakub Elbl ◽

Antonin Kintl ◽

Lucia Skulcova ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Microbial Biomass ◽

Soil Respiration ◽

Soil Fertility ◽

Microbial Activity ◽

Plant Biomass ◽

Microbial Biomass Carbon ◽

Metabolic Quotient ◽

Biomass Carbon ◽

Carbon And Nitrogen ◽

Biochar Amendment

Different types of soil respond variably to biochar amendment. Soil structure and fertility are properties which strongly affect the impacts of biochar on soil fertility and microbial activity. A pot experiment with lettuce was conducted to verify whether biochar amendment is more beneficial in sandy soil than in clay soil. The nutrient content (carbon and nitrogen), microbial biomass carbon, soil respiration, metabolic quotient, and plant biomass yield were determined. The treatments were prepared by mixing silty clay loam (Haplic Luvisol) with a quartz sand in ratios of 0%, 20%, 40%, 60%, 80%, and 100% of sand; the same six treatments were prepared and amended with biochar (12 treatments in total). Soil carbon and nitrogen, microbial biomass carbon, and soil respiration were indirectly dependent on the descending sand ratio, whereas the metabolic quotient increased with the ascending sand ratio. The biochar’s effects were positive for total carbon, microbial biomass carbon, metabolic quotient, and plant biomass in the sand-rich treatments. The maximum biochar-derived benefit in crop yield was found in the 100% sand + biochar treatment, which exhibited 24-fold (AGB) and 11-fold (root biomass) increases compared to the unamended treatment. The biochar application on coarse soil types with lower fertility was proven to be favorable.

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Microbiological activity and carbon mineralization in pampean soils with different agricultural use intensity

10.7287/peerj.preprints.1608 ◽

2015 ◽

Author(s):

Ricardo A Castro-Huerta ◽

Fernando R Momo ◽

Liliana B Falco ◽

César A Di Ciocco ◽

Carlos E Coviella

Keyword(s):

Organic Matter ◽

Microbial Biomass ◽

Soil Respiration ◽

Enzymatic Activity ◽

Microbial Biomass Carbon ◽

Carbon Mineralization ◽

Terrestrial Ecosystems ◽

Mineralization Rate ◽

Microbial Quotient ◽

Agricultural Use

The processes involved in the flows of matter and energy of terrestrial ecosystems depends heavily on soil biological activity, the current conventional agricultural managements could alter the biological mechanisms involved in decomposition and nutrient cycling in agroecosystems. The aim of this study was to compare the activity levels and soil microbial biomass between different agricultural pampean soil uses and its relationship to carbon mineralization. 25 years of agricultural use were compared with 25 years of ecological reserve naturalized where each agroecosystem soil were collected at 61 - 125 - 183 - 236 - 302 - 368 - 431 - 488 days for measuring their moisture, organic matter, enzymatic activity, microbial biomass carbon, soil respiration, metabolic quotient, microbial quotient and carbon mineralization rate. The distance between agroecosystems is less than 800 m, thus assuming the same soil and climatic conditions. The data were evaluated by Friedman test finding significant differences in moisture, organic matter, enzymatic activity, soil respiration y microbial quotient (p< 0.01). Difference was also found in the microbial mineralization rate of carbon (p< 0.1).

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Microbial activity in soil with onion grown in a no-tillage system with single or intercropped cover crops

Ciência Rural ◽

10.1590/0103-8478cr20190849 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 50 (12) ◽

Author(s):

Monique Souza ◽

Mónica María Machado Vargas ◽

Bárbara Santos Ventura ◽

Vilmar Müller Júnior ◽

Cláudio Roberto Fonsêca Sousa Soares ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Microbial Biomass ◽

Microbial Activity ◽

Cover Crops ◽

Management Practices ◽

Microbial Biomass Carbon ◽

Basal Respiration ◽

Control Treatment ◽

No Tillage ◽

Tillage System ◽

Fda Hydrolysis

ABSTRACT: Microbial biomass is a driving force in the dynamics of soil organic matter, and microbial activity is an indicator of soil quality in agroecosystems, reflecting changes in management practices and environmental conditions. We evaluated the effect of monoculture and intercropped winter cover crops on soil chemical attributes, microbial biomass carbon (MBC), basal respiration (BR), metabolic quotient (qCO2), urease, β-glucosidase, and fluorescein diacetate (FDA) hydrolysis activity, as well as onion yield in a no-tillage system. Soil is a Typic Humudept, and treatments were control with spontaneous vegetation, barley, rye, oilseed radish (OR), OR + rye, and OR + barley. The soil was sampled (0-10 cm) five times between June and December. There were no differences among treatments for MBC and BR, and the highest values for those attributes occurred in June, when cover plants were in their initial stage. Although, qCO2 was not affected by any treatment, it varied among sampling periods, ranging from 0.62 to 10 µg C-CO2 mg-1 MBC h-1, indicating a low- or no stress environment. Cover crops had little influence on enzyme activity, but FDA was lowered in areas with single crops of barley and rye. Average onion yield in cover crops treatments was 13.01 (Mg ha-1), 30-40% higher than in the control treatment.

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