Methods of Soil Enzymology

Methods of Soil Enzymology provides the first comprehensive set of vetted methods for studying enzymes in soils. Readers will especially benefit from the step-by-step explanation of the lab procedures, as well as background information for using these methods effectively and analyzing data. Main topics include activity assays, enzyme extraction, and synthetic enzyme complexes. Each method covered includes background informaton, step-by-step descriptions of the procedure, and special comments regarding nuances, pitfalls, and interpretation of the method. Learn the latest research methods, including enzyme extraction methods and procedures for creating synthetic enzyme complexes, as well as the newest ways to use small-scale and high-throughput methods for enzyme activity assays. Written for the researcher, but welcoming to those new to soil enzymology, the introduction includes conceptual information to orient those who are not familiar with these methods but want to use them. In the tradition of SSSA methods books, Methods of Soil Enzymology features a comprehensive approach with a focus on ease of use. Foreword ix

Preface xi

Contributors xv

Conversion Factors for SI and Non-SI Units xvii

Chapter 1 A Brief History of Soil Enzymology Research 1
Richard P. Dick and Richard G. Burns

Chapter 2 Ecology of Extracellular Enzyme Activities and Organic Matter Degradation in Soil: A Complex Community-Driven Process 35
Matthew D. Wallenstein and Richard G. Burns

Chapter 3 Kinetics of Soil Enzyme Reactions 57
Warren A. Dick

Chapter 4 Development of a Soil Enzyme Reaction Assay 71
Warren A. Dick

Chapter Sampling and Pretreatment of Soil before Enzyme Analysis 85
Nicola Lorenz and Richard P. Dick

Chapter 6 Soil Oxidoreductases and FDA Hydrolysis 103
Jennifer A. Prosser, Tom W. Speir, and Diane E. Stott

Chapter 7 Sulfur Cycle Enzymes 125
Susanne Klose, Serdar Bilen, M. Ali Tabatabai, and Warren A. Dick

Chapter 8 Phosphorus Cycle Enzymes 161
Verónica Acosta-Martínez and M. Ali Tabatabai

Chapter 9 178 Carbohydrate Hydrolases 185
Shiping Deng and Inna Popova

Chapter 10 Nitrogen Cycle Enzymes 211
Ellen Kandeler, Christian Poll, William T. Frankenberger Jr., and M. Ali Tabatabai

Chapter 11 Activities of Proteolytic Enzymes 247
Loretta Landi, Giancarlo Renella, Laura Giagnoni, and Paolo Nannipieri

Chapter 12 Biologically Active Compounds in Soil: Plant Hormones and Allelochemicals 261
Serdar Bilen, Jeong Jin Kim, and Warren A. Dick

Chapter 13 Enzyme Activities of Root Tips and in situ Profiles of Soils and Rhizospheres 275
Melanie D. Jones, Denise D. Brooks, Pierre-Emmanuel Courty, Jean Garbaye, Pauline F. Grierson, and Karin Pritsch

Chapter 14 Microplate Fluorimetric Assay of Soil Enzymes 311
Shiping Deng, Hojeong Kang, and Chris Freeman

Chapter 15 Stabilizing Enzymes as Synthetic Complexes 319
Liliana Gianfreda and Maria A. Rao

Chapter 16 Enzyme Extraction from Soil 371
Flavio Fornasier, Yves Dudal, and Herve Quiquampoix

Index 385

Richard Dick is an Ohio Eminent Scholar and Professor in the School of Environment and Natural Resources at Ohio State University. His research focuses on the soil biochemistry and ecology of microorganisms in relation to terrestrial management and manipulations for beneficial services to ecosystems. Soil enzymology has been an important component of his research which began as a PhD student under Professor M. A. Tabatabai at Iowa State University.