Distribution of β-Glucosidase Activity within Aggregates of a Soil Amended with Organic Fertilizers

Saeid Hojati; Farshid Nourbakhsh

doi:10.3844/ajabssp.2009.179.186

Article Details

Distribution of β-Glucosidase Activity within Aggregates of a Soil Amended with Organic Fertilizers

Authors:

Saeid Hojati | Farshid Nourbakhsh

Publisher:

Science Publications

Journal:

American Journal of Agricultural and Biological Sciences Vol.4 Issue 3, pp.179-186

Document Type:

Article

Publication Date:

9/2009

Document Language:

English

Document ID (Org No.):

2001395707

pISSN:

1557-4997

DOI:

10.3844/ajabssp.2009.179.186

Keywords:

Abstract:

 Problem statement: Distribution pattern of enzyme activities 
in soil aggregate size classes as affected by organic amendments is not well understood. 
Approach: A study was conducted to evaluate the effects of repeated 
annual application of Cow Manure (CM), Sewage Sludge (SS) and Municipal Solid 
Waste Compost (MSW) on the distribution of β-Glucosidase (βG) activity 
within aggregates of a soil. Soil samples were collected from 0-15 cm of a soil 
which, had been treated annually from 1999-2006 at 4 application rates with three 
replications. A control (with no application) was also run. Soil organic C content 
and βG activity were measured in 5 aggregate size fractions. Results: 
Results illustrated that application of the amendments decreased the proportion 
of microaggregates (0.25 mm diameter) 
enhanced from 35% in control to 65% in MSW. Application of organic amendments 
modified the distribution of Soil Organic C (SOC) content and βG activity. 
Distribution of SOC in macroaggregate classes was not identical in CM, SS and 
MSW treatments. The distribution pattern of βG activities in aggregate size 
classes was dissimilar to those of SOC contents. In general, an increasing trend 
was observed in βG activity as the aggregate sizes increased. The highest 
level of βG activity was observed in aggregate size classes of >2 mm 
of all applied soils. Among the solid waste treatments, CM induced greater βG 
activity in macroaggregates. For all aggregate size classes, the lowest level 
of βG activity was observed in control. Conclusion/Recommendations: 
To conclude, organic fertilization increased the proportion of macroaggregates 
to microaggregates. The highest activities of βG and SOC contents were observed 
in macroaggregates and in soils received the highest rates of organic fertilizer 
applications.

Article Details

Distribution of β-Glucosidase Activity within Aggregates of a Soil Amended with Organic Fertilizers

Authors:

Saeid Hojati | Farshid Nourbakhsh

Publisher:

Science Publications

Journal:

American Journal of Agricultural and Biological Sciences Vol.4 Issue 3, pp.179-186

Document Type:

Article

Publication Date:

9/2009

Document Language:

English

Document ID (Org No.):

2001395707

pISSN:

1557-4997

DOI:

10.3844/ajabssp.2009.179.186

Soil enzymes

macroaggregates

microaggregates

organic amendments

Issues

Article Details

Distribution of β-Glucosidase Activity within Aggregates of a Soil Amended with Organic Fertilizers

Authors: Saeid Hojati | Farshid Nourbakhsh

Publisher: Science Publications

Journal: American Journal of Agricultural and Biological Sciences Vol.4 Issue 3, pp.179-186

Document Type: Article

Publication Date: 9/2009

Document Language: English

Document ID (Org No.): 2001395707

pISSN: 1557-4997

DOI: 10.3844/ajabssp.2009.179.186

Soil enzymes

macroaggregates

microaggregates

organic amendments

Issues

Authors:

Saeid Hojati | Farshid Nourbakhsh

Publisher:

Science Publications

Journal:

American Journal of Agricultural and Biological Sciences Vol.4 Issue 3, pp.179-186

Document Type:

Article

Publication Date:

9/2009

Document Language:

English

Document ID (Org No.):

2001395707

pISSN:

1557-4997

DOI:

10.3844/ajabssp.2009.179.186