The Effect of Compaction on Urease Enzyme Activity, Carbon Dioxide Evaluation and Nitrogen Mineralisation

Authors: AYTEN KARACA, ABDULLAH BARAN, KORAY HAKTANIR

Abstract: The effects of compaction on urease enzyme activity, carbon dioxide evaluation and nitrogen mineralisation of urea-treated and untreated soils were investigated. Soils were compacted at compaction levels of O kgcm -2 , 2 kgcm -2 and 4 kgcm -2 and incubated for 28 days. The changes in urease enzyme activity, CO 2 evaluation and nitrogen mineralization were determined during incubation periods. Urease enzyme activity was decreased significantly (P<0.05) in all samples, but it was observed that there was a negative effect of compaction on urease enzyme activity and CO 2 evaluation in urea-treated soils. Depending on incubation peroids, urea-treated soils had 5 times more NH 4 + -N and 4 times more NO 3 - -N than untreated soils. Furthermore, compaction induced mitrification in both groups (P<0.05).

Keywords: Compaction, urease enzyme activity, carbon dioxide evaluation, nitrogen mineralisation

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