Cellulase activity on decomposing leaf litter in microcosms

In this paper, we describe cellulase and cellobiose dehydrogenase (CBDH) dynamics in relation to incubation time, mass loss and chemical composition of decomposing deciduous leaf litter. Cellulose disappearance from litter coincided with periods of maximum cellulase activity. CBDH activity peaked la...

Full description

Saved in:
Bibliographic Details
Published in:Plant and soil 1990-04, Vol.123 (1), p.17-25
Main Authors: Linkins, A.E. (Clarkson Univ., Potsdam, NY (USA). Dept. of Biology), Sinsabaugh, R.L, McClaugherty, C.A, Melills, J.M
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Agronomy. Soil science and plant productions
Biochemistry and biology
Biological and medical sciences
CELLOBIOSE
CELLULASE
CELOBIOSA
CELULASA
Chemical composition
Chemical decomposition
Chemical, physicochemical, biochemical and biological properties
DEGRADACION
DEGRADATION
Dehydrogenases
Enzyme activity
Enzymes
FOREST LITTER
Forest soils
Fundamental and applied biological sciences. Psychology
Fungi
HOJARASCA FORESTAL
Lignin
LIGNINAS
LIGNINE
LIGNINS
LITIERE FORESTIERE
Organic matter
Oxygen consumption
Physics, chemistry, biochemistry and biology of agricultural and forest soils
Plant litter
Soil science
Citations: Items that this one cites
Items that cite this one
Online Access:Get full text
Tags: Add Tag
No Tags, Be the first to tag this record!
Description
Summary:In this paper, we describe cellulase and cellobiose dehydrogenase (CBDH) dynamics in relation to incubation time, mass loss and chemical composition of decomposing deciduous leaf litter. Cellulose disappearance from litter coincided with periods of maximum cellulase activity. CBDH activity peaked later in decomposition after cellulase activity had declined. Enzyme activity patterns differed among litter types when expressed on the basis of decomposition time or cumulative mass loss. The patterns converged when expressed on the basis of chemical composition as indexed by the fraction of cellulose in the lignocellulose complex. We present a three-stage model of decomposition based on temporal changes in cellulase activities and coincident changes in litter chemical composition.
ISSN:0032-079X
1573-5036
DOI:10.1007/bf00009922