Contribution of enzymes to soil quality and the evolution of research in Brazil

ABSTRACT

Extracellular soil enzymes are fundamental for the functioning of ecosystems. Several processes in the soil depend on the activity of these enzymes, including plant decomposition, soil organic matter formation/mineralization, and nutrient cycling. Moreover, extracellular enzyme activity occurs in the soil and is therefore influenced by environmental factors. Due to the high sensitivity to these factors, extracellular enzymes are used for monitoring soil quality. This review aimed to present the main contributions of soil enzymes to agriculture, emphasizing the dynamics of elements in the soil and the environmental factors that modulate enzyme activity. With this knowledge, the relationship of extracellular enzymes to soil quality is demonstrated and their use as a tool for soil monitoring. Finally, the evolution of research on soil enzymes in Brazil is presented, and the perspectives of basic and applied studies necessary to expand the knowledge and use of enzymes in soil management are pointed out. Soil enzymes play a key role in numerous soil processes, thereby making them useful indicators of productive capacity and soil quality. Research on enzymes in soil has developed significantly in the last two decades, which has made it possible for farmers to analyze and interpret enzyme activity in the soil in the laboratory.

soil organisms; enzymatic activity; bioindicator