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Abstract
The biochemical reactions within the soil are mediated by soil flora and fauna, and are catalyzed by enzymes. Therefore, enzymes play a significant role in nutrient cycling. Enzymes are specific for the type of chemical reactions in which they participate. Arylsulfatase is the enzyme that catalyzes the hydrolysis of an arylsulfate anion by fission of the oxygen-sulfur (0-5) bond. ∝-Glucosidase catalyzes the hydrolysis of ∝-D-glucopyranosides and is involved in the hydrolysis of maltose. β-Glucosidase catalyzes the hydrolysis of β-D-glucopyranosides and is involved in the hydrolysis of cellobiose. The hydrolysis products of glycosidases are believed to be an important energy source for microorganisms in soils (Tabatabai, 1982). Acid phosphatase mediates the release of inorganic phosphorus (P) from organically-bound P returned to the soil as litter and other organic debris. Urease catalyzes the hydrolysis of urea to carbon dioxide and ammonia. It acts on carbon-nitrogen (C-N) bonds other than the peptide linkage. Urease is important in organic N mineralization (Tabatabai, 1982).
Citation
Bayan, M. R.; Eivazi, F. 1993. Selected soil enzyme activities in an oak-hickory forest following long-term prescribed burning. In: Gillespie, Andrew R.; Parker, George R.; Pope, Phillip E.; Rink, George: eds. Proceedings of the 9th Central Hardwood Forest Conference; Gen. Tech. Rep. NC-161. St. Paul, MN: U.S. Department of Agriculture, Forest Service, North Central Forest Experiment Station: 485-487
