Enzymatic activity and microbiological characteristics of luvic and pseudogley soils in western Slavonia

Background and Purpose: Soil microorganisms participate in major processes associated with sustainable soil management and ensure cycling of nutrients required for plant production. Their role is of special importance for the dynamics of generation and decomposition of soil organic matter, and they also take part in other processes that provide soil fertility and health. Different anthropogenic influences as well as mechanical and chemical properties of soil have a significant influence on the presence of functional groups of microorganisms and on enzymatic activities in the plough-layer. The main research aim was to study the microbial characteristics and enzymatic activity in pseudogley and luvic soil types of western Slavonia. Materials and Methods: Soil samples collected from soil profiles differently affected by anthropogenic action, from four localities in western Slavonia were analyzed. Results: Average total number of micoorganisms was 13.90 ´ 106 CFU/g soil in pseudogley and 21.33 ´ 106 CFU/g soil in luvic soil. In pseudogley the proportion of functional groups was poor to medium and proteolytic activity was 6.21 (gelatine units/g soil). In luvic soil very good proportion of aerobic asymbiotic nitrogen fixators and cellulolytic fungi was determined. The average proteolytic activity was 5.08 gelatine units/g soil. Research results for cellulolytic activities in luvic soils and pseudogley show that higher values were determined for endogluconase than for cellobiohydrolase.