ISSN:
1432-0789
Keywords:
Biological activity
;
P availability
;
Microbial biomass
;
Alkaline phosphatase activity
;
Dehydrogenase activity
;
Soil cultivation
Source:
Springer Online Journal Archives 1860-2000
Topics:
Biology
,
Geosciences
,
Agriculture, Forestry, Horticulture, Fishery, Domestic Science, Nutrition
Notes:
Summary In Ap horizons of typical arable soils under cereals in Northwest Germany, biological activity was estimated by measuring microbial activity. Twelve soils on local farms and six soils on a research farm were analysed. Microbial biomass, dehydrogenase activity, and alkaline phosphatase activity were compared with the biological availability of P, an index describing the relationship among several P fractions that has been used in ecological agriculture. The correlation between the microbial biomass and dehydrogenase and alkaline phosphatase activity was strong but the correlation between the biological availability of P and the enzyme activities was weak. In contrast, in the farm fields, there was a significant correlation between the microbial biomass and the biological availability of P. The correlation between the biological availability of P and pH was highly significant (r=0.65–0.93***). Explanations for these correlations are discussed and proposals for further investigations are made. (1) Is the pH effect a direct chemical one or an indirect biological one? (2) Which soil organisms affect the biological availability of P in contrast to the microbial biomass, dehydrogenase activity, and alkaline phosphatase activity? (3) Is the method suitable for the investigation of all arable soils?
Type of Medium:
Electronic Resource
URL:
http://dx.doi.org/10.1007/BF00340583
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