Changes in biological characteristics in whole soil and in different particle-size fractions in soil managed by conventional farming (CF) or organic farming (OF), as compared with those of an adjacent uncultivated land (UL), were investigated. Results indicate that arylsulfatase, dehydrogenase and lipase activities and ATP content in whole soil and in particle-size fractions were greater in uncultivated soil than in the two cultivated sites. The greatest reduction of enzyme activity following cultivation was observed for the arylsulfatase measured in the coarse sand of CF. Different soil management showed differences for dehydrogenase and lipase activities and ATP in particle-size fractions but not in whole soil. Arylsulfatase, which showed differences in the whole soil in both the farming systems and UL, can be considered the soil parameter that responds most deeply to changes in agricultural practices. Results also confirm that clay and silt-size fractions are of major importance in studies of soil biological activity.
Selected enzyme activities in particle-size fractions from an organically and conventionally managed soil
SAVIOZZI, ALESSANDRO;CARDELLI, ROBERTO;
2007-01-01
Abstract
Changes in biological characteristics in whole soil and in different particle-size fractions in soil managed by conventional farming (CF) or organic farming (OF), as compared with those of an adjacent uncultivated land (UL), were investigated. Results indicate that arylsulfatase, dehydrogenase and lipase activities and ATP content in whole soil and in particle-size fractions were greater in uncultivated soil than in the two cultivated sites. The greatest reduction of enzyme activity following cultivation was observed for the arylsulfatase measured in the coarse sand of CF. Different soil management showed differences for dehydrogenase and lipase activities and ATP in particle-size fractions but not in whole soil. Arylsulfatase, which showed differences in the whole soil in both the farming systems and UL, can be considered the soil parameter that responds most deeply to changes in agricultural practices. Results also confirm that clay and silt-size fractions are of major importance in studies of soil biological activity.I documenti in IRIS sono protetti da copyright e tutti i diritti sono riservati, salvo diversa indicazione.
