Phosphomonoesterase, phosphodiesterase, phosphotriesterase, and inorganic pyrophosphatase activities in forest soils in an alpine area: effect of pH on enzyme activity and extractability

We investigated different types of phosphatase activity (phosphomono-, phosphodi-, phosphotriesterase, inorganic pyrophosphatase) in five forest soils in Vorarlberg, Austria. Phosphatase activity was determined both in soils and in soil extracts prepared with different solutions (distilled water, 0.1M sodium pyrophosphate at pH 7, 0.1 M sodium phosphate buffer/1 MKC1 at pH 6.5, and a modified universal buffer at pH 4, 6.5, 9, and 11). High phosphomonoesterase activity in these soils indicated a severe deficiency in available P. Acidic phosphomonoesterase prevailed over alkaline phosphomonoesterase activity. Phosphodiesterase was highest in the least acidic soil but no general trend towards an optimum pH was recognized. Phosphotriesterase activity was observed in only two of the five soils and favoured an alkaline optimum pH; this activity was not detected in strongly acid soils. Inorganic pyrophosphatase activity was high in soils with no phosphotriesterase. Phosphomonoesterase, phosphodiesterase and inorganic pyrophosphatase activities were much lower in soil extracts than in soils.