Summary
The distribution of enzymatic activity between roots of barley and the rhizoplane has been determined for three enzymes, namely phosphatase, urease, and invertase. Phosphatase and invertase activity of the root zone can be attributed in great part to enzymes of the root itself, while urease activity is entirely a function of rhizoplane organisms. In contrast, appreciable amounts of proteinase, esterase, amidase and asparaginase activities were not found in the roots and the rhizoplane of barley during the same short times of observations.
The kinetics of phosphatase activity of sterile, 6-day barley roots have been studied in some detail. The pH optimum is pH 5.3; the temperature optimum is at 38°C. Magnesium ion in concentrations of 0.2×10−3 to 1×10−3 moles per ml has a stimulatory effect on sterile root phosphatase activity and quaternary ammonium compounds in low concentration induce a doubling of root phosphatase activity. Root phosphatase activity is found in the root cap and on the epidermis.
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Estermann, E.F., McLaren, A.D. Contribution of rhizoplane organisms to the total capacity of plants to utilize organic nutrients. Plant Soil 15, 243–260 (1961). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF01400458
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF01400458