Intensive agricultural practices are a leading cause of environmental degradation, negatively affecting both soil and water resources. In response, cover crops (CCs) are gaining attention as they enhance soil health and provide economic benefits to farmers. This study examined the activity of Beta-1,4-glucosidase (BG) and N-acetyl-b-D-glucosaminidase (NAG) enzymes to evaluate the effect of CCs of different functional types (grass, legume, brassica) on soil carbon and nitrogen mineralization, respectively. The study had 6 treatments including monocultures of field pea, forage radish, cereal rye, a three species mix, a five species mix, and fallow (control). Soils at 0-10 cm depth were taken from all six treatments. BG and NAG activities were assayed using 4-methylumbelliferyl-b-D-glucopyranoside, and 4- methylumbelliferyl-N-acetyl-b-D-glucosaminide, respectively, as specific substrates. The amount of methylumbelliferone produced was quantified using a microplate fluorimeter. Cereal rye had higher NAG activity than all other treatments. The BG activity did not vary with the treatments. Rye had the highest biomass among all the treatments. Increased NAG activity indicates higher soil nitrogen mineralization, which is required to support the higher biomass production in cereal rye. The results suggest that different plant functional types can differentially affect soil microbial activity and hence the overall soil health. Effect of Different Plant Functional Types on Soil Microbial Extracellular Enzyme Activities
WITH JONATHAN IRVING, MOHIT GOYAL, SIFAT SULTANA, AND DR. VIDYA SUSEELA, DEPARTMENT OF PLANT AND ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCES
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