Interrelations between selected soil characteristics and arylsulfatase and urease activities

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Abstract
Six field sites in western Oregon [USA] were examined periodically over 1 yr for arylsulfatase and urease activities as well as a variety of chemical and physical soil characteristics. Two of the sites were under forest vegetation, one was under native grasses and three were under clover/grass pasture. The interactions between the enzymatic activities and the variations in the soil characteristics were analyzed using a variety of statistical programs. Both enzymes were most highly correlated with soil organic matter content (r = 0.58 for arylsulfatase and r = 0.59 for urease). Multiple regression analysis indicated that the variability was partially accounted for by the soil parameters monitored (arylsulfatase, r2 = 0.657; urease, r2 = 0.509). Principal component analysis generated 4 factors which, when combined, accounted for 65% of the observed variation in both arylsulfatase and urease activity. Seasonal fluctuations were recorded for both of the enzymes and the levels of activity apparently fluctuated in relation to moisture and temperature conditions. The availability of certain nutrients in the soil appeared to be an important parameter associated with the level of the activity for both enzymes.

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