Comparative Biochemical Study of the Rhizosphere of Rhizophora mangle and its Associated Species Cyperus sp. in the Ciénaga de Soledad (Colombia)

Abstract

The present study compares the rhizo- sphere of Rhizophora mangle and its associated spe- cies Cyperus sp. with the adjacent non-rhizospheric soil of the mangrove forest at the Ciénaga of Soledad (Caribbean Sea-Colombia). The enzyme activities (dehydrogenase, acid and alkaline phosphatase, urease, b-glucosidase and fluorescein diacetate hydrolysis), microbial biomass carbon by substrate induced respiration, pH, electrical conductivity, water moisture, total organic carbon and nutrients (total nitrogen and phos- phorus) were determined. The results showed marked differences among the rhizospheres of Rhizophora mangle, its associated species (Cyperus sp.) and the adjacent soil; suggesting a high microbial activity due to the special interaction between the Rhizophora mangle roots and its microenvironment.