The measurement and distribution of urease activity in a pasture system

Urease activities of soil, litter and plant components of a pasture sward were measured by two methods. The type, height and age of the pasture sward can influence urease activity of the underlying soil. Urease activity of the above-soil plant and litter components is less per unit area of sward (7%...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Plant and soil 1986-10, Vol.93 (3), p.359-366
Main Authors: HOULT, E. H., McGARITY, J. W.
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Agricultural soils
Agronomy. Soil science and plant productions
Biological and medical sciences
Chemical, physicochemical, biochemical and biological properties
Fundamental and applied biological sciences. Psychology
Mineral soils
Organic matter
Pastures
Physics, chemistry, biochemistry and biology of agricultural and forest soils
Plant litter
Plants
Relative humidity
Soil composition
Soil plant interactions
Soil samples
Soil science
Sward
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Summary:Urease activities of soil, litter and plant components of a pasture sward were measured by two methods. The type, height and age of the pasture sward can influence urease activity of the underlying soil. Urease activity of the above-soil plant and litter components is less per unit area of sward (7% of total sward activity) than that of associated soil to 20 cm (93%), although urease activity of the non-soil component is about 9 fold greater per unit mass than that of an equal mass of soil. The implications of the presence of this highly active and accessible urease on transformation and loss of nitrogen on swards topdressed with urea is discussed.
ISSN:0032-079X
1573-5036
DOI:10.1007/bf02374286