Evaluating Soil Enzymatic Activities under Different Oxidation-Reduction Status

Enzymes play major roles in nutrient cycling, soil health, and environmental protection. However, they are themselves affected by the environment where they occur. Soil reaction is one of the many factors that affect soil enzymes. Hence, this study aimed to investigate the impact of soil redox potential on the activities of selected enzymes. Soil samples were collected from three distinct locations (waterlogged site, forest and open dry field), each representing a different redox status. Data on enzyme activities phosphatase, urease, beta-glucosidase, dehydrogenase, and amidase, were collected and recorded. Analysis of Variance (ANOVA) was applied to collected data, while the Tukey HSD Test was used to separate means. Results unveiled distinct patterns in enzyme activities based on soil redox potential. Phosphatase, beta-glucosidase, and amidase exhibited their highest activities under oxidized conditions. Conversely, rehydrogenase and urease had the highest activity under reduced conditions. These findings show how soil redox potential impacts soil enzymatic activities, which can inform agricultural and environmental management practices.