Assessing soil microbial community biomass and enzyme activity in cover crop rhizosphere soil

Cover crops improve soil health, yet their rhizosphere-level effects are understudied. This study examined microbial biomass and extracellular enzyme activity in bulk and rhizosphere soils of legumes, grasses, and a legume-grass mix. Soil samples were analyzed for microbial composition (PLFA) and enzyme activity (colorimetric bench-scale assays: β-Glucosidase, arylsulfatase, acid-phosphatase). Cover crop soils had higher microbial biomass, enzyme activity, and bacterial and fungal levels than bulk soil, suggesting dynamic plant-microbe interactions. No significant differences were found between cover crop species, likely due to early crop development. Future research should evaluate cover crops’ long-term soil health effects at later growth stages.