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Acid Phosphatase Activity in Soils of the Appalachian Region
Author(s) -
Baligar V. C.,
Wright R. J.,
Smedley M. D.
Publication year - 1988
Publication title -
soil science society of america journal
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.836
H-Index - 168
eISSN - 1435-0661
pISSN - 0361-5995
DOI - 10.2136/sssaj1988.03615995005200060018x
Subject(s) - soil water , chemistry , acid phosphatase , soil horizon , water content , phosphatase , moisture , appalachian region , environmental chemistry , soil science , hydrology (agriculture) , zoology , environmental science , geology , biology , geography , biochemistry , enzyme , geotechnical engineering , organic chemistry , physical geography
Acid phosphatase (AP) activity was determined in 14 hill land soils of the Appalachian region. Soil samples were obtained from surface (A or Ap) and subsurface (E, BA, Bt, or Bw) horizons during spring, and subsamples were stored field‐moist at 4 °C and air‐dry (AD) for 36 wk prior to determination of AP activity. The average AP activities of surface and subsurface horizons stored field‐moist at 4 °C were 1.7 to 1.9 times higher than those of AD samples. The average AP activity of air‐dry surface horizons was 3.3 times higher than that of subsurface horizons. Significant positive relationships were found between the AP activities of AD and 4 °C samples, and total C and N content of soils. Positive relationships were observed between AP activities and various forms of soil P. The original soil moisture content by weight or volume and percent water‐filler pores (% WFP) were significantly related to AP activities of surface soil horizons. Each soil type has its own inherent level of phosphatase activity.