State of soil enzymatic activity in relationship to some chemical properties of Brunic Arenosols

Abstract

Brunic Arenosols are one of the most common soil types in lowland forests. The aim of this study was to determine the enzymatic activity of trophically diverse forest Brunic Arenosols. In this study, an attempt was made to determine the relationship between enzymatic activity and some chemical properties of Brunic Arenosols. It has been presented how the activity of dehydrogenases, urease and protease changes deep into the profi le of Brunic Arenosols. Sample plots were located in central Poland, in the Przedbórz forest district. 23 sample plots have been selected for the research. The research concerned Albic Brunic Arenosols (9 plots), Haplic Brunic Arenosols (7 plots) and Cambic Brunic Arenosols (7 plots). At each sample plot a detailed description of soil profi le has been carried out, samples have been taken from each genetic horizon in order to mark of soil properties and enzyme activity. The analyses carried out confi rmed the relationship of enzymatic activity with the content of C, N, pH and the texture in the studied soils. Regardless of the type of enzyme, a decrease in activity has been observed in the depth of the profi le which is related to the availability of carbon substrates necessary for enzymatic reactions. Dehydrogenases activity refl ects the trophic conditions of Brunic Arenosols better than other tested enzymes. The highest dehydrogenases activity was recorded in Cambic Brunic Arenosols. For protease and urease activities, no clear differences were recorded between Brunic Arenosols subtypes. Extracellular enzyme activities were most strongly associated with organic horizons regardless of Brunic Arenosols subtype. Keywords