Water-Soluble Pyrolysis Products as Novel Urease Inhibitors Safe for Plants and Soil Fauna

Water-soluble compounds (WS) obtained from the pyrolysis of three lignocellulosic biomasses (larch, poplar, and switchgrass) were tested as potential inhibitors enzyme urease. Thanks to presence an array phenolic like catechol, methoxy/hydroxy phenols, acids, aldehydes, all WS samples at a catechol concentration 30 μM inhibited activity jack bean urease (JBU) by 60%–70% 80% that naturally present in soil. A 10 times lower dose (catechol 3 μM) JBU 20%, while soil 50%, line with known inhibition N-(n-butyl) thiophosphoric triamide (NBPT). The germination rate, early growth, development oat not affected any sample this dose, well cress roots shoots was than control presumably because low pH solutions. Earthworm survival significantly tested, but effect observed on ability eggs develop into viable newborns.