Abstract
Deamination of 1,2 diamino-4-nitrobenzene (DANB) was assayed in 22 arable soils. Soil texture, pH, total nitrogen and organic matter content were measured, as were the soils' nitrogen mineralisation potentials. Deaminase activity was strongly correlated with clay content, suggesting an association of deaminase with this soil fraction. There was no relationship between deaminase activity and other soil parameters. Deaminase activity was a poor predictor of nitrogen mineralisation potential. This was due to the difference in accessibility of the amino groups in DANB and of native soil organic matter.
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Allison, M.F. Deaminase activity in arable soils. Plant Soil 126, 109–113 (1990). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00041375
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00041375