Role of Soil Enzymes in maintaining Soil Health
G. Nivitha*
Dept. of Microbiology, STAC, Vasudevanallur, Tenkasi, Tamil Nadu (627 760), India
B. Vimalan
Dept. of Soil Science and Agricultural Chemistry, STAC, Vasudevanallur, Tenkasi, Tamil Nadu (627 760), India
DOI: NIL
Keywords: Soil ecology, Soil enzymes, Soil health, Microorganisms
Abstract
Soil enzymes are constantly playing vital roles for the maintenance of soil ecology and soil health. These enzymatic activities in the soil are mainly of microbial origin, being derived from intracellular, cell-associated or free enzymes. Therefore, microorganisms are acting as the indicators of soil health, as they have active effects on nutritional cycling, also affecting the physical and chemical properties of soil. Microorganisms respond quickly even to minute changes by changing their population and activities, and thus, can be used for soil health assessment. On the other hand, soil enzymes are the direct mediators for biological catabolism of soil organic and mineral components and they are often closely related to soil organic matters, soil physical properties, and microbial activities or biomass. They are the better indicators of soil health as changes of enzymes are much sooner than other parameters, thus providing early indications of changes in soil health. In addition, their activities can be used as the measures of microbial activity, soil productivity, and inhibiting effects of pollutants.
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Reference
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