Estimate of the source of soil protease in upland fields

Selective inhibition of bacterial or fungal growth in remoistened, oven-dried, inoculated Andosols indicated that bacteria were a more important source of benzyloxycarbonyl-l-phenylalanyl-l-leucine hydrolyzing activity (z-FLase) and casein-hydrolyzing activity (caseinase) than fungi. The same test indicated that bacteria were also a more important source of soil caseinase under upland conditions in a Gray Lowland soil. Most of the proteolytic bacteria isolated from the three upland fields by azocoll agar plates (Andosol upland field, 100%; Andosol uncultivated field, 96.4%; Gray Lowland upland field, 70.0%) wereBacillus spp. Most (100%, 97.1%, and 84.0%, respectively) of the gelatin liquefiers selected from the azocoll degraders, as those with high extracellular z-FLase and caseinase, were alsoBacillus spp. We conclude thatBacillus spp. are the major source of soil protease in the three upland fields studied.     

Seasonal variation in extracted proteases and relationship to overall soil protease and exchangeable ammonia in paddy soils

In paddy fields treated with organic manure or chemical fertilizer or not treated, seasonal changes in soil protease [hydrolysis to benzyloxycarbonyl-l–phenyl-alanyl-l–leucine (z-FLase) or casein (caseinase)] extracted with phosphate buffer were investigated during the cultivation of rice. Both activities reached a maximum on July 21 (after irrigation), and gradually decreased, which was correlated with the soil water content. Increases in z-FLase and caseinase activity extracted coincided with increases in exchangeable NH ₄ ⁺ and the ninhydrin-reactive N content. The overall soil caseinase activity on August 16 (after midsummer drainage) was inhibited by metal chelators and p–chloromercuribenzoic acid and was similar to that extracted with 1.0 mol l^–1 phosphate buffer on June 9 (before irrigation), but different from that extracted by 0.1 mol l^–1 phosphate buffer on July 22. The overall soil z-FLase activity on August 16 was inhibited by p–chloromercuribenzoic acid and 1,10-phenanthroline, and was similar to that extracted with 0.1 mol l^–1 phosphate buffer on June 9, but differed from that extracted on July 22. The results indicate that the soil proteases extracted on July 22 had a high potential for ammonification and were short lived.     

不同土壤改良剂处理对连作西洋参根际微生物数量、土壤酶活性及产量的影响

以北京地区连作西洋参为研究对象, 通过3种土壤改良剂(熟石灰、EM菌剂、沼液)随机区组试验对其土壤理化性状、酶活性、根际微生物区系及产量进行了系统研究。结果表明: 低浓度熟石灰、中浓度EM菌剂及高浓度沼液处理最有利于提高西洋参产量; 施加熟石灰处理后, 土壤微生物主要类群数量显著减少, 土壤pH显著升高, 并对土壤脲酶活性有明显抑制作用; 施加沼液和EM菌剂处理后, 土壤有效微生物菌群显著增加(P<0.05), 土壤有机质和营养物质含量也显著增加(P<0.05), 并对土壤脲酶和多酚氧化酶活性有一定的促进作用。相关性分析发现, 土壤微生物主要类群的数量与蔗糖酶、脲酶、多酚氧化酶活性均有一定的相关性, 其中, 土壤细菌数量与蔗糖酶、多酚氧化酶活性呈极显著正相关(r分别为0.895^**和0.808^**), 土壤真菌和放线菌数量与蔗糖酶、脲酶、多酚氧化酶活性呈极显著正相关(r分别为0.932^**、0.769^**、0.840^**和0.837^**、0.891^**、0.797^**)。另外, 土壤细菌数量与有机质含量呈极显著正相关(r=0.863^**)。表明连作西洋参根际微生物区系及土壤酶活性与土壤理化性状之间紧密联系, 通过施加不同土壤改良剂, 可以为耐连作种植西洋参提供适宜的土壤环境。     

Interrelationship between extracellular enzyme activity,ATP content,total counts of bacteria and CO2 evolution

Summary In an incubation experiment, soil was amended to induce changes in microbial growth and enzyme production. The soluble fraction of newly produced protease (extracellular enzyme) was separated from the soil by a sterilized millipore filter. The activity of total and soluble protease, ATP content, number of acridine orange-stained bacteria, and CO₂ evolution in soils were measured during the incubation. Increases in soluble and total protease activities in soils amended with agar and glucose coincided with increases in ATP content, total counts of bacteria, growth of fungi, and CO₂ evolution. In amended soils, the activity of soluble extracellular protease was about 30% of the total protease activity. Soluble extracellular protease activity was highly correlated with total protease activity (r=0.78, P<0.01), ATP content (r=0.74, P<0.01), and total counts of bacteria (r=0.94, P<0.01) during the first 6 days of incubation. Hence measurement of microbial biomass appeared to be an index for the level of extracellular enzymes in soil.     

Effect of temperature on soil microbial biomass and its metabolic quotient in situ under different tillage systems

Variations in the microbial biomass and the in situ metabolic quotient (qCO₂) due to climatic conditions were determined in a typical soil from the Argentine Rolling Pampa. Microbial C was evaluated by fumigation-incubation and qCO₂ was calculated using soil respiration in the field. An inverse relationship between microbial C and soil temperature was fitted to a model (r ²=0.90, P=0.01). No significant association with the soil water content was detected because the soil was generally near field capacity and thus water availability did not limited microbial growth and activity. Values of qCO₂ increased (r ²=0.89, P=0.01) as the result of metabolic activatìon, likely induced by a higher maintenance energy requirement at high temperatures. The highest values of qCO₂ were obtained when microbial C was the lowest, which was attributed to self consumption of microbial C in the presence of high temperatures. Consequently, microbial C was generally higher (P=0.05) in winter than in summer. Therefore, when microbial C is used as an index of soil biological activity, the influence of temperature should be taken into account.     

Enzyme activity and microbial biomass in a field soil amended with municipal refuse

Summary Changes in enzyme activity levels, in biomass-C content, and in the rate of fluorescein diacetate hydrolysis were measured in a loamy soil to which solid municipal refuse had been applied as compost over a 3-year period at two different rates. Addition of the compost caused significant increases in the activity of all enzymes tested. The increases were much higher at 90 t ha^-1 year^-1 than at 30 t ha^-1 year^-1. Significant increases were also observed in the biomass-C content and in the rate of fluorescein diacetate hydrolysis. Significant correlations among changes in biomass-C content and the rate of fluorescein diacetate hydrolysis and the changes in all enzymes tested were found.Two activity indices were calculated; a biological index of fertility and an enzyme activity number. No correlations were found between the biological index of fertility and the changes in the various enzyme activities. However, significant correlations were found either between enzyme activity number and most of the changes in enzyme activity, or between the enzyme activity number index and the biomass-C content (r=0.850). The use of a new activity index, the hydrolysis coefficient, is proposed. This coefficient was significantly correlated with biomass-C content (r=0.925) and with the enzyme activity number index (r=0.780).     

Quantitative assessment of hydrolase production and persistence in soil

The aim of this work was to calculate indices of hydrolase production (Pr) and persistence (Pe) through simple arithmetical calculations. Changes in acid and alkaline phosphomonoesterase, phosphodiesterase, urease, protease, and β-glucosidase activities were monitored under controlled conditions in seven soils with a wide range of properties, in which microbial growth was stimulated by adding glucose and nitrogen. Glucose mineralization was monitored by CO₂–C evolution, and microbial growth was quantified by determining the soil adenosine triphosphate (ATP) content. Hydrolase Pr and Pe indices were numerically quantified by the following relationships: Pr = H / t _H and Pe = (r / H)Δt, respectively, where H indicates the peak value of each measured hydrolase activity, t _H is the time of the peak value, r indicates the residual activity value, and Δt is the time interval t _r − t _H, where t _r is the time of the residual activity value. Addition of glucose and N-stimulated soil respiration increased ATP content and stimulated the production of the measured hydrolase activities in all soils; the measured variable reached a maximum value and then decreased, returning to the value of the control soil. Apart from β-glucosidase activity, whose activity was not stimulated by glucose and N addition, the other measured hydrolase activities showed a trend that allowed us to calculate the Pr and Pe indices using the above-mentioned equations. Acid phosphomonoesterase and protease Pr values were significantly higher in soils under forest or set aside management; the alkaline phosphomonoesterase and phosphodiesterase Pr values were generally higher in the neutral and alkaline soils, and the urease Pr values showed no obvious relationships with soil pH or management. Concerning the persistence of enzyme activities, Pe values of the acid phosphomonoesterase activity were significantly higher in the acidic soils, and those of urease activity were higher in acidic soils and the Bordeaux neutral soil. No relationships were observed between Pe values of alkaline phosphomonoesterase, phosphodiesterase, or protease activities and soil pH or management. The different responses of hydrolases were discussed in relation to soil properties, microbial growth, and regulation at the enzyme molecular level.     

Cropping system effects on carbohydrate content and water-stable aggregates in a calcareous soil of Central Iran

The effect of humus, readily decomposable organic matter, and carbohydrates of a nonspecific nature on the formation of water-stable aggregates in field rotation members of a calcareous soil in central Iran, Isfahan (fine loamy mixed thermic typic haplargid) has been studied. The study was carried out at Lavark experimental farm in plots receiving 0 (T1), 25 (T2), 50 (T3) and 100 (T4) Mg/ha of manure for 5 years successively with a cropping rotation of wheat (Triticum aestivum L.)–corn (Zea mays L.) every year and plots under similar chemical fertilizer management but with three different cropping rotations (T5, T6 and T7) that has been the prevalent cropping systems. Three replications of soil sample in each treatment and at the depths of 0–5 and 5–15 cm were used to measure organic carbon (OC), hot-water-soluble carbohydrate, dilute acid hydrolysable carbohydrate, cold-water-soluble carbohydrate and mean weight diameter of water stable aggregates. The highest amount of carbohydrate (700 mg/kg) and aggregate stability (0.8 mm) were obtained in plots with 100 Mg/ha manure (T4). The amount of carbohydrate extracted from soil samples decreased in the order of hot water, dilute acid and cold water extracts.Aggregate stability had a better correlation with hot water (r = 0.74**) and dilute acid-soluble carbohydrate (r = 0.73**) than organic carbon (r = 0.62**) content of soil. This indicates that the carbohydrate extracted by hot water and dilute acid may be a suitable indicator for showing soil quality, particularly in relation to soil aggregation.     

A modeling study of soil temperature and moisture effects on population dynamics of Paronychiurus kimi (Collembola: Onychiuridae)

The effect of soil moisture on population dynamics of Paronychiurus kimi (Collembola) was examined by combining an empirical soil moisture model with a temperature-sensitive, stage-structured population model. Field observations of soil temperature were used to drive the population model, and simulations were compared to field observations of juvenile and adult densities. Simulations without soil moisture effects produced stable, interyear population dynamics and a significant correlation between simulations and observations (n=12, r ²=0.40, P<0.05) but overestimated densities during much of the year. Adding responses to soil moisture improved the fit between simulations and observations (n=13, r ²=0.40), suggesting that soil moisture is a major limiting factor on field populations of P. kimi. Moreover, an observed temporary decline in field populations during spring could be explained partly by the effects of an herbicide, paraquat (N,N′-dimethyl-gamma,gamma′-bipyridylium dichloride) (r ²=0.45), suggesting that paraquat imposes additional limits on collembolan populations.     

Chitinolytic and proteolytic activity of streptomycetes isolated from root-free soil,rhizosphere and mycorrhizosphere of pine (Pinus sylvestris L.)

Summary We tested 75 strains of Streptomyces spp. (25 taken from each environment of soil, rhizosphere, and mycorrhizosphere of pine, Pinus sylvestris L.) and all exhibited chitinolytic activity and hydrolysed gelatine and sodium caseinate in agar media. Enrichment of these media with glucose and NH₄NO₃ caused induction or stimulation of proteolytic Streptomyces spp. strains (80%) derived from root-free soil; inhibition of this activity was observed in most strains (92%) isolated from the root zone. The post-culture liquids of the rhizosphere strains cultured in the absence of glucose revealed a significantly higher proteolytic activity than those obtained from the root-free soil. The addition of glucose to the medium stimulated proteolytic activity in the post-culture broth of Streptomyces strains derived from soil and the mycorrhizosphere.     

Methane production potentials of twenty-eight rice soils in China

 Soil CH₄ production potentials were investigated by incubating air-dried soils under anaerobic conditions in the laboratory. Twenty-eight soils from different fields and locations were collected for this study. Soil CH₄ production during a 100-day incubation differed greatly and were significantly correlated with soil organic content (r=0.61, P<0.01). The statistical significance increased when soils were grouped according to soil reduction rates. A significant correlation was also found between CH₄ production and total N content (r=0.64, P<0.01) and between CH₄ production and soil particle sizes of 0.25–0.05 mm (r=0.48, P<0.05). A negative exponential correlation was found between CH₄ production and aerobic soil pH (r=–0.74, P<0.01). The 28 soils were stratified into four groups on the basis of variation in CH₄ production rates which were associated with the soil reduction rate and soil organic content. The faster the Eh of soil fell, the more CH₄ was formed. Adding rice straw to Hangzhou and Beijing soils increased CH₄ production. The increase in CH₄ production was more pronounced in the soil with the lowest organic matter content and slowest reduction rate than in the soil with highest organic matter and fastest reduction rate. Inorganic fertilizer had no significant influence on CH₄ production potentials of either type of soil. Received: 26 November 1997     

外源铜对土壤果树系统中酶活性影响的研究

利用褐土和红富士苹果嫁接苗为供试材料 ,研究外源铜对土壤—苹果树系统中酶活性的影响。结果表明 ,低量的外源铜能使果树叶片的过氧化氢酶、多酚氧化酶、抗坏血酸氧化酶及根系过氧化氢酶的活性加强 ,而高量铜使活性大幅度降低 ,加入钙铁后在一定程度上使抑制缓解。土壤过氧化氢酶的活性与外源铜量具显着的曲线相关性 ,(y =x ( - 1 1 .2 6 0 .75x) ,r=0 .995 5 ) ,蔗糖酶活性与土壤施铜量呈Logistic函数关系 (y =2 .95 ( 1 0 .5 7exp( - 5 .0 2× 1 0 - 5x) ,r=- 0 .982 0 )。脲酶对铜过量非常敏感 ,大于 1 0 0mgkg- 1的各处理均未测出其活性     

Decomposition of bacterial polymers in soil and their influence on soil structure

Summary The adherence of soil particles into stable aggregates increases with the addition of monosaccharides or polysaccharde polymers to soil, either as plant residues, microbial metabolites, or as simple carbohydrates. Microbial polysaccharides are one of the most effective organic agents that promote soil aggregate stability, but the effectiveness of these polymers in stabilizing soil particles varies dramatically between microbial strains, the amount present and the prevailing environmental conditions. We conducted glasshouse and laboratory studies to determine the effectiveness of selected microbial polymers in stabilizing soil aggregates. The addition and thorough mixing of 1.0 mg microbial polymer C g^–1 soil of seven bacteria strains (Arthrobacter viscocus, Azotobacter indicus, Bacillus subtilus, Chromobacterium violaceum, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Pseudomonas strain I, and Pseudomonas strain II), three deuteromycete strains (Cryptococcus laurentii, Hansenula holstii, and Mucor rouxii), and two reference compounds (hydroxyethyl guar and glucose) to an Arlington coarse-loamy soil resulted in stimulated soil respiration, increased aggregate stability, and decreased soil bulk density and modulus of rupture when incubated from 1 to 12 weeks. The monosaccharides present in the added polymers were rapidly decomposed and the sacchride content of the polymer-treated soil returned to the level of the soil control (with no polymer addition) after 2 weeks of incubation, while the maximum increase in soil aggregate stability was noted during the 3rd and 4th weeks of incubation. Statistical analyses showed that the glucose content of the polymers added was significantly correlated with soil aggregation [weeks 1 (r=0.78^***) and 2 (r=0.61^*)], but the extractable soil saccharides were not significantly correlated with increased aggregate stability or decreased soil bulk density during this study. When microbial extracellular polymers were added to soil only a transient increase in soil stability was measured upon decomposition of the added saccharides. This finding suggests that the stabilization of soil aggregates is a result of other microbial processes or metabolites rather than the direct binding effects of the added polysaccharides.     

外源放线菌对谷子生长和成熟期根际可培养微生物的影响

为研究外源放线菌对谷子生长及成熟期根际可培养微生物的影响，本研究通过盆栽和田间试验分析施加放线菌微白黄链霉菌（Streptomyces albidoflavus，T4）和密旋链霉菌（Streptomyces pactum，Act12）后成熟期谷子生物量、产量形成指标及根际可培养微生物结构组成的差异，并对谷子生长与根际微生物之间相互关系进行分析。结果表明，①T4促进了盆栽和田间试验中谷子生物量的增加，而T4和Act12也使田间试验中单株谷子籽粒干重和产量增加了13.7%～22.6%。②对于根际微生物，T4处理使培养箱盆栽试验中谷子根际可培养细菌（B）、真菌（F）、放线菌（A）及微生物总数量增加了29.5%～56.9%。T4和Act12使室外盆栽试验中根际真菌数量分别提高了73.3%和222.0%，A/F和B/F降低了34.7%～72.4%。③相关分析表明，成熟期谷子茎叶干重、单株谷子籽粒干重与根际B、F、A和总微生物数量显著正相关（r = 0.748～0.971，P < 0.01），而与A/F和B/F显著负相关（r = -0.764 ～ -0.906，P < 0.01）。综上，供试放线菌通过调整根际可培养微生物群落结构促进了谷子生长，增加了谷子产量。因此，通过外源施加放线菌优化根际可培养微生物群落结构是谷子促生增产的可行途径之一。     

Ecology of soil microflora and mycorrhizal symbionts in degraded forests at two altitudes

Summary Microbial populations were estimated in four different forest stands at different regenerational stages, two each at higher and lower altitudes. The fungal and bacterial populations showed marked seasonal variations at both altitudes. Quantitatively, the bacterial population was higher than the fungal population. Although 25 fungal species were isolated at the lower altitude, only 15 were obtained at the higher altitude. Penicillium chrysogenum and Trichoderma viride were dominant at the lower and higher altitudes, respectively. In the more degraded forest stand at the lower altitude both the fungal and the bacterial population showed a significant positive correlation with organic C (r=0.658 and 0.735, respectively), whereas in the less degraded forest stand there was a significant correlation only between the fungal population and organic C (r=0.835). At the higher altitude, however, a highly significant correlation (P<0.05) was observed between the fungal population, soil moisture and organic C in both the forest stands. Disturbance to the soil and vegetation adversely affected the microbial population, and also affected endogonaceous spores. At the lower altitude, plants in the more degraded forest stand were more mycotrophic compared to those in the less degraded stand. The level of mycorrhizal infection showed a highly positive correlation with soil moisture, organic C, total N, and available P. The spore population, however, was correlated negatively with these parameters. Three different endogonaceous genera, Glomus, Gigaspora, and Acaulospora, were identified during the course of investigation. Glomus, however, was dominant.     

Biodegradation of metolachlor in a soil perfusion experiment

Summary Degradation of the herbicide metachlor [2-chloro-N-(2-ethyl-6-methylphenyl)-N-(2-methoxy-1-methylethyl)acetamide] was studied in a soil perfusion system. After 28 days of perfusion, the ¹⁴CO₂ evolved from a Virginia soil (soil A), which had been previously treated with metolachlor (Dual) for 5 years, accounted for 18.4% of the added ¹⁴C-metolachlor, while only 3.5% of the ¹⁴C was liberated as ¹⁴CO₂ from a soil of the same field which had no history of Dual treatment (soil B). No ¹⁴CO₂ was liberated from -irradiated soil A. After incubation, metolachlor constituted almost all the extractable ¹⁴C in sterile soil A, while about 20% of the added ¹⁴C extracted from non-sterile soil A consisted of products of metolachlor; 14.8% was identified as dechlorinated metolachlor. No mineralization occurred in actinomycete-inoculated sterile soil A, but 30% of the added ¹⁴C was recovered in the form of transformation products of metolachlor. Our results demonstrate clearly that microbial activity is responsible for the mineralization of metolachlor, and that degradation is enhanced in herbicide-acclimated soils.     

甘蔗酒精废液对土壤理化性状及氧化还原酶的影响

在蔗地上设计不施肥(CK1)、施化肥(CK2)和4个直接喷施甘蔗酒精废液处理,研究不同用量废液施用对土壤理化性状及两种氧化还原酶活性的影响.结果表明:蔗地施用废液提高了土壤全氮、Cl-、有机质、腐殖质含量,使甘蔗苗期土壤过氧化氢酶和多酚氧化酶活性异常升高,随后迅速下降,成熟期下降到接近或小于CK2的土壤酶活性水平.甘蔗苗期土壤过氧化氢酶活性与全氮、有机质、腐殖质呈极显著正相关,与富里酸、胡敏酸、Cl-呈显著正相关(r0.05=0.811,r0.01=0.917,n=6);土壤多酚氧化酶活性与有机质、腐殖质、Cl-呈显著正相关.与不种植甘蔗的75 tCK废液处理相比,种植甘蔗的75 t废液处理甘蔗生长后期土壤全氮、有机质、Cl-含量和多酚氧化酶活性较低.说明与施用化肥或不施肥处理相比,蔗地施用废液有提高土壤肥力和有机质、腐殖质含量的作用,但也使施用初期过氧化氢酶和多酚氧化酶活性异常升高,施废液的土壤种植甘蔗对废液养分吸收和环境净化有一定作用.     

Long-term effects of tillage on the availability of iron, copper, manganese, and zinc in a Spanish Vertisol

Organic matter accumulation and increased microbial activity under no-till can affect the dynamics of some essential micronutrients for plants. The main purpose of this work was to study the long-term effect of tillage on the availability of Fe, Mn, Cu, and Zn in a calcareous soil from Southern Spain. To this end, nutrient availability in surface soil (0–5-cm depth) subjected to a long-term tillage experiment (21 years) was evaluated via pot experiments and chemical tests involving DTPA extraction (as availability index) and sequential chemical fractionation of Mn and Fe.Soil organic matter (SOM) content and microbial activity (estimated by the β-glucosidase method) were found to be significantly higher under no-till (NT) than under conventional (CT) or minimum tillage (MT). Also, DTPA extractable Mn, Cu, and Zn, and citrate–bicarbonate extractable Mn (Mn_cb), were all higher under NT than under CT and MT, the differences being related to the increase in SOM as revealed by the correlation of Mn, Cu, and Zn extractable with DTPA and SOM (r = 0.87, P < 0.001; r = 0.8, P < 0.01, and r = 0.86, P < 0.001, respectively), and that between Mn_cb and SOM (r = 0.87, P < 0.001). However, the increased extractability resulted in no increased concentrations of these nutrients in plants. Moreover, the Mn concentration in the last expanded leaf was significantly lower with NT than with CT, which can be ascribed at least partly to an increased microbial activity under NT as revealed by the negative correlation between Mn in plants and β-glucosidase activity in soil (r = −0.71, P < 0.01). The Fe concentration in plants was not affected by soil tillage; also, it was only related to citrate–ascorbate extractable Fe (r = 0.69, P < 0.05), which exposes the contribution of poorly crystalline Fe oxides in soil to Fe nutrition in plants.     

Arylsulfatase activity in soil and soil extracts using natural and artificial substrates

The arylsulfatase activity of soil and humic arylsulfatase complexes extracted from soil were measured using the substrates p-nitrophenyl sulfate and low molecular weight (500–10000) soil ester sulfate compounds. Soil samples from the Aphorizon of a Podzol from S-amended wheat plots and a Regosol from dykeland hayfield plots were investigated. Soil arylsulfatase activity (assayed with p-nitrophenyl sulfate) in the fall was significantly higher than spring samples; however, no seasonal differences were observed when humic-arylsulfatase complexes were assayed with p-nitrophenyl sulfate. The discrepancy between arylsulfatase activity in soil and soil extracts was probably due to inhibitors which were found in soil materials. These results appear to support the theory that abiotic arylsulfatase is a relatively stable and persistent component of soil. There was a marked difference in the response by humic-arylsulfatase complexes to the artificial substrate p-nitrophenyl sulfate and natural low molecular weight soil substrates. Humic-arylsulfatase complexes hydrolysed 35–80% of added low molecular weight substrates depending on the treatment. The molecular size, concentration, and chemical composition of the low molecular weight ester sulfate compounds affected hydrolysis of the low molecular weight substrates. The response by humic-arylsulfatase complexes to the chromogenic ester sulfate, p-nitrophenyl sulfate did not reflect the ability of these complexes to hydrolyse natural soil substrates. In an experiments we examined arylsulfatase activity and soil S status in relation to the total S in plant tissue and grain from wheat plants grown in the Podzol. Tissue S was more strongly associated with soil S than the wheat grain. Hydriodic acid-S, Ca(H₂PO₄)₂-extractable sulfate, and hydrolysable ester sulfates in the high molecular weight (>10000) and low molecular weight (500–10000) fractions of soil organic matter extracts were strongly positively correlated with tissue S. Arylsulfatase activity in soil and humic-arylsulfatase extracts assayed with p-nitrophenyl sulfate were also strongly correlated with tissue S, while humic-arylsulfatase activity assayed with the low molecular weight substrate was negatively correlated with tissue S.     

Differentiating microbial and stabilized β-glucosidase activity relative to soil quality

Previous research has shown that β-glucosidase activity can detect soil management effects and has potential as a soil quality indicator, but mechanisms for this response are not well understood. A significant amount of hydrolytic enzyme activity comes from extracellular (abiontic) activity that is bound and protected by soil colloids. This study was conducted to determine how management affects the kinetics of this enzyme (K_m, substrate affinity, and V_max, maximum reaction velocity) and its degree of stabilization on soil colloids. Soils were sampled from three sites in Oregon, with a paired comparison within each site of a native, unmanaged soil, and a matching soil under agricultural production (>50 years). Microwave radiation (MW) stress was used to denature the β-glucosidase fraction associated with viable microorganisms in these soils as an estimate of abiontic activity. Total activity and V_max were decreased by both management and MW. The results showed that β-glucosidase activity is sensitive to soil management on a variety of soils and environments (135 vs. 190, 80 vs. 111 and 80 vs. 134 μg PNP g⁻¹ h⁻¹ for managed and unmanaged treatments, respectively, at the three study sites in Oregon). The evidence suggests that this sensitivity to management is not (or minimally) due to differences in isoenzymes (K_m generally was unaffected) but rather due to an overall reduction in the amount of enzyme present (V_max decreased) and that this reduction in activity is reflected more from the activity of enzymes in the stabilized fraction than that associated with viable microbial population. Although β-glucosidase activity after MW irradiation appears to be limited as a soil quality indicator, it maybe useful as research tool to separate abiontic from microbial activity ‘biomass’ β-glucosidase activity correlated with microbial biomass C (r=0.42, P<0.05) but MW irradiated, abiontic, activity did not (r=−0.20^NS).