Microbial and enzymatic activity in soil after organic composting

Isabel Cristina Vinhal-Freitas,Dalcimar Regina Batista Wangen,Gilberto Fernandes Corrêa,Beno Wendling,Adão De Siqueira Ferreira

doi:10.1590/s0100-06832010000300017

Isabel Cristina Vinhal-Freitas, Dalcimar Regina Batista Wangen + Show 3 more

Open Access

https://doi.org/10.1590/s0100-06832010000300017

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Abstract

Microbial activity and biochemical properties are important indicators of the impact of organic composting on soil. The objective of this study was to evaluate some indicators of soil microbial and biochemical processes after application of compost (household waste). A Typic Acrustox, sampled at a depth of 10 cm under Cerrado biome vegetation, was evaluated in three treatments: control (soil without organic compost amendment) and soil with two doses of domestic organic compost (10 and 20 g kg-1 soil). The following properties were evaluated: released C (C-CO2): microbial respiration 15 days after incubation; microbial biomass C (MBC); total glucose (TG); metabolic quotient (qCO2); and enzyme activity of β-glucosidase and acid and alkaline phosphatase. The application of household compost, at doses of 10 and 20 g kg-1 Typic Acrustox, resulted in significant gains in microbial activity, organic C and C stock, as evidenced by increased MBC and TG levels. On the other hand, qCO2 decreases indicated greater microbial diversity and more efficient energy use. The addition of compost, particularly the 20 g kg-1 dose, strongly influenced the enzyme β-glucosidase and phosphatase (acid and alkaline). The β-glucosidase activity was significantly increased and acid phosphatase activity increased more than the alkaline. The ratio of β-glucosidase to MBC was greater in the control than in the composted treatments which suggests that there were more enzymes in the control than in the substrate or that the addition of compost induced a great MBC increase.

Highlights

Microbial activity is of great importance for biological and biochemical soil processes because it directly influences the transformation of nutrients and organic compost
The most important general indicators of soil microbial activity are microbial biomass C and soil respiration, while specific indicators are related to the activity of extracellular hydrolytic enzymes such as phosphatase and β−glucosidase, involved in nutrient cycling (Gil-Sotres et al, 2005)
Other studies reported significant increases in microbial activity resulting from organic compost amendments (Pascual et al, 1999b; Crecchio et al, 2001)

Summary

Introduction

Microbial activity is of great importance for biological and biochemical soil processes because it directly influences the transformation of nutrients and organic compost. It is qualitatively and quantitatively associated with the presence of extracellular hydrolytic enzymes which are important in the process of decomposition and mineralization of organic matter (Kiss et al, 1975; Nakas et al, 1987; Martens et al, 1992; Ross & Cairns, 1992; Elliott et al, 1993). Since the application of organic waste can change biological and biochemical indicators, studies are needed to measure the effect of this practice on soil (Martens, 2000; Ros et al, 2003; Tejada et al, 2006)

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