Page 178 - Enzymes in Tropical Soils

166 Enzymes In Tropical Soils

purified enzymes or enzymes producing microorganisms. Upon application in the
fields, soil enzymes are activated or produced and may participate in the soil
enzymatic decomposition. This technique is more practical particularly if applied in
soils containing or applied with high contents of organic matters.
The purified enzymes can be packed to be easily applied in the fields. Upon
treatment into the soil system, the enzymes may dissolve and be activated to
participate in accelerating the decomposisiton of organic matters. The
effectiveness of this biofertilizers is of course controlled by various soil properties
affecting the activities of soil enzymes as mentioned previously. These may include
the amount of energy sources or soil organic matter content, soil pH, soil
temperature, soil water content, etc..
The enzyme producing organisms can also be packed to be easily applied in
the fields. Upon treatment into soils, the enzyme producing microorganisms may
be activated by some environmental conditions. The environmental conditions are
as mentioned previously such as soil temperature, soil pH, soil water content, soil
organic matter contents, etc. The soil microorganisms may develop fast if the
environmental conditions are suitable. At this condition, the soil microorganisms
may progress significanty and produce some soil enzymes. Therefore, if
constructed properly, this fertilizer is more practical and effective in accelerating
the decomposition of organic matters.

Important Questions

1. Explain the two main sources of plant nutrient elements in the soil systems! What
are the differences?
2. Why are organic residues important nurient sources in the soil systems? Explain!
3. Can the organic matters completely susbstitute the role of soil minerals in availing
plant nutrient sources in the soil – plants system? Explain!
4. Explain the role of enzymes in supplying plant nutrient elements of organic sources
in the soil system!
5. Explain the technique for controlling the rates of organic matter decomposition by
regulating energy sources, C/N ratios, pH, temperature, water contents, and/or
microorganisms!
6. Explain how to regulate the N level, pH, water contents, and O 2 during organic
matter decomposition!
7. What is a compost? Explain the status of its nutrient element availabilities! Compare
to those in raw organic matters!

Abdul Kadir Salam - 2014