Soil enzyme activities as affected by manure types, application rates, and management practices

Abstract

Manure application can restore soil ecosystem services related to nutrient cycling and soil organic matter (SOM) dynamics through biochemical transformations mediated by soil enzymes. Soil enzymes are crucial in soil metabolic functioning, as they drive the decomposition of organic residues, humification processes, transformations leading to the release of plant available nutrients, stabilization of soil structure, and degradation of xenobiotic (foreign or strange) compounds. However, despite the fact that there is an exhaustive amount of literature available on the effects of manure on soil enzyme activities, there is no comprehensive overview of recent research findings that compares different management scenarios, manure types, and potentially new manure products or management. The purpose of this chapter is to provide a review of the response of enzyme activities to manure applications and their potential implications on soil biogeochemical cycling in agroecosystems. Additionally, this chapter intends to provide some perspective on specific areas where more information is warranted and pinpoint avenues for future research.