Soil enzymatic characterization of different soil types under meadow

Studies to the feasibility to characterize soil types by soil microbiological and biochemical analysis focus on the existence of microbial and biochemical characteristics distinctive to individual soil types. Many authors have attempted to elucidate relationships between microbiological and physico-chemical properties of different soil types (DUTZLER-FRANZ, 1977a, b; KHAZIYEV and KHABIROV, 1983; POLYANSKAYA et al., 1996). Early investigations predominantly dealt with the density of the microbial colonization of different soil types and the occurrence of special groups of microorganisms. Later studies also considered biochemical properties. Efforts were also made to investigate the stability of different enzymes in different soil types. In most studies the soil types used for comparative microbial and biochemical investigations differed with regard to soil management. Our aim was to detect relationships between biochemical and chemical soil properties across different soil types, and to determine whether different soil types under the same land use might be discriminated on the basis of biochemical soil properties. To follow this, a total of fifty soils belonging to seven different soil types from the temperate zone, all under unfertilized meadow, were analysed. We have recorded basal respiration and the activities of the enzymes dehydrogenase, protease, alkaline phosphatase and xylanase. Basal respiration results from the degradation of organic matter. This activity is considered to reflect the availability of carbon for microbial maintenance. Soil dehydrogenase activity was investigated as an indicator of the overall microbiological activity of soils. As important representatives of enzymes participating in the cycles of nitrogen, phosphorus and carbon, we have determined the activities of the enzymes protease, alkaline phosphatase and xylanase.