Soil Enzymology

Soil enzymes are one of the vital key mediators involved in nutrient recycling and decomposition of organic matter and thereby maintaining soil quality and fertility. This Soil Biology volume covers the various facets of soil enzymes, such as their functions, biochemical and microbiological properties and the factors affecting soil enzymes activities. Described are enzymes in the rhizosphere, in forest soils, and in volcanic ashes derived soils, as well as phosphohydrolases, lignocellulose-degrading enzymes, phenol oxidases, fungal oxidoreductases, keratinases, pectinases, xylanases, lipases and pectinases. Several chapters treat the soil enzymatic activities in bioremediation of soils contaminated with pesticides and pollutants such as oil, chlorinated compounds, synthetic dyes and aromatic hydrocarbons. The role of soil enzymes as bio indicators is a further important topic addresses.