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Assays of invertase activity in acidic soils: Influence of buffers

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Summary

The influence of buffered and unbuffered systems for assays of invertase activity in a range of acidic soils (pH4.9–6.8), and a neutral soil (pH 7.1), from under pasture was determined. The buffers were those recently recommended in other studies,viz. a modified universal buffer (MUB) and a potassium phosphate buffer. The optimum pH for the invertase activity of a moderately acid soil (pH 5.5) wasc 4.0 and for the neutral soil was 5.0 With the acidic soils, invertase activity was lower in the assay system with MUB (initial pH 5.0) than in the unbuffered system, and decreased with increasing MUB molarity. The phosphate buffer was more satisfactory, even though the pH (5.0) was below its most effective range. Generally, either phosphate buffer or unbuffered systems appear suitable for measuring invertase activity in these acidic soils.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Scientific and Industrial Research, N.Z. Soil Bureau, Lower Hutt, New Zealand

    D. J. Ross

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  1. D. J. Ross
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Ross, D.J. Assays of invertase activity in acidic soils: Influence of buffers. Plant Soil 97, 285–289 (1987). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF02374952

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF02374952

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