Influence of Soil Properties on the Biological Activity

Summary To determine the biological activity of soil samples, collected from 25 locations representing the main soil types of Hungary, investigations were carried out under laboratory conditions. The investigations comprised the study of cellulose-decomposing activity, indices of respiration activity, the correlation between the mentioned indices, and basic physical and chemical soil properties. The correlations between soil properties and indices of soil biological activity were evaluated using multivariable linear regression analysis. The results of the analyses indicate that the cellulose-decomposing activity varied, depending on the available nutrient content of the soil. Under good conditions of phosphorus and nitrogen supply certain unfavourable soil properties limited the cellulose decomposition. Even closer correlation was detected between the intensity of soil respiration and the soil properties. The so-called basal respiration of the untreated soils was definitely determined by the quantity and quality of the organic matter in the soil. The degree of the respiration, induced by cellulose carbon source, depended primarily on the quantity of the available nutrients. The intensity of respiration of soil samples, fertilized with NPK and enriched by cellulose, was also influenced by the available phosphorus and nitrogen content. The results of investigations on cellullose utilization and soil respiration may help — apart from chemical and physical parameters — in detecting the causes for differences in the productivity of soils.