Changes in enzyme activities and microbial biomass of tallgrass prairie soil as related to burning and nitrogen fertilization

H. A. Ajwa, C. J. Dell, C. W. Rice

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279 Scopus citations

Abstract

Microbial biomass and enzyme activities are affected by management practices and can be used as sensitive indicators of ecological stability. Microbial biomass C (MBC), microbial biomass N (MBN) and eight enzyme activities involved in the cycling of C, N, P and S were studied in the surface (0-5 cm) of an Irwin silty clay loam soil (fine, mixed, mesic, Pachic Arguistoll) in a tallgrass prairie ecosystem. Treatments of annual spring burning and N fertilization were initiated in 1986 and encompassed: (1) unburned-unfertilized, (2) burned-unfertilized, (3) burned-fertilized, and (4) unburned-fertilized. Activities of dehydrogenase, β-glucosidase, urease, deaminase, denitrifying enzyme, acid phosphatase, alkaline phosphatase, and arylsulfatase were assayed. Long-term burning and N fertilization of the tallgrass prairie soil reduced MBC and MBN relative to the unburned-unfertilized treatment. The effects of burning and N fertilization varied among the enzymes and the time of sampling. Long-term burning significantly (P < 0.05) increased activities of urease and acid phosphatase, but decreased activities of β-glucosidase, deaminase and alkaline phosphatase. Long-term N fertilization significantly increased activities of β-glucosidase and acid phosphatase but decreased urease activity. This study found that several soil enzyme activities can be used as indicators of ecological changes caused by N fertilization and long-term burning management practices. The relevance of these changes in surface soil to the long-term sustainability of this ecosystem needs further evaluation.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Pages (from-to)769-777
Number of pages9
JournalSoil Biology and Biochemistry
Volume31
Issue number5
DOIs
StatePublished - May 1999

All Science Journal Classification (ASJC) codes

  • Microbiology
  • Soil Science

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