CM‐Cellulase Activity in Sou as affected by Addition of Organic Materials, Temperature, Storage and drying and wetting Cycles

Abstract

AbstractThe increase in carboxymethyl‐cellulase activity (C.A.) resulting from the addition of different organic materials to calcareous, sandy loam and clay soils was studied. The effect of temperature, storage, as well as drying and wetting cycles on C.A. were also investigated. More C.A. was noticed when the 3 different soils were amended with clover straw than when cotton stalks or farmyard manure were added.Incubating these soils at temperatures from 4 °C up to 70 °C caused a sharp decrease in C. A. which was affected by the time of incubation. This reduction in C.A. varied from 23 to 84 % in the 3 soils used. Considerable losses in C.A. were also noticed when these soils were stored for 28 days either in the refrigerator (40–45 %) or at room temperature (54–71 %).Drying the samples amended with different organic materials caused a tremendous decrease in C.A. ranging from 14 % to 60 %, while rewetting enhanced the regain of C.A. but not to its original level.