Ecology, Environment and Conservation Paper

Vol.18, Issue 1, 2012; Page No.(105-112)

INFLUENCE OF FOREST LITTER ON SOIL ENZYME ACTIVITIES

A. Srilakshmi, R. Dakshayani, D.V.R. Saigopal and G. Narasimha*

Abstract

Effect of forest litter on soil physico-chemical, biological properties and enzyme activities was assessed. Except pH improved physico-chemical properties were noticed in forest soil accumulated with litter than control soil (without litter) which includes pH 4.8 5.1, WHC 0.30 0.33 ml/gram of soil, EC 0.09 0.10 μ Mhos/cm, Phosphorus 2 9kg/h, Potassium 103 108 Kg/h. The biological properties such as bacterial and fungal population was enumerated and expressed in terms of CFU/g of soil. Two fold higher bacterial and four fold higher fungal population was found in litter soil than control soil. The enzyme activities such as cellulase, protease and dehydrogenase were measured with/without supplementation of substrates (1% CMC, 1% Casein and 0.18 mM TTC respectively). With increase in soil incubation days enzyme activities increased up to 14th day interval and there after declined at 21st day interval. Forest soil accumulated with litter exhibited higher enzyme activities than control soil at all incubation days.

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