Vegetos
(An International Journal of Plant Research & Biotechnology)
Factors regulating the seasonal pattern of microbial and enzyme activities across various land use types in a semi-arid ecosystem of India
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Research Articles | Published: 15 October, 2025
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Keywords: Land use types, Seasonal, Soil microbial activity, Soil enzymatic activity, Soil fertility
Abstract
Soil microbes are involved in soil enzyme production, nutrient cycling and respond to land use conversions, soil management practices, soil organic matter (SOM) composition, microclimatic conditions, and soil physicochemical properties. An understanding of these factors helps to make effective strategies to mitigate climate change and ecosystem disturbance. 1) An assessment of seasonal variation in soil physicochemical properties, microbial parameters, and enzyme activities involved in soil carbon (β-glucosidase), nitrogen (urease), phosphorus (acid and alkaline phosphatases) cycles, and oxidation-reduction (dehydrogenase) processes across three different land use types i.e., industrial, agricultural, and forest, in a semi-arid ecosystem of India, and 2) To investigate the factors affecting soil microbial parameters and enzyme activities in these land use types. Seasonal soil samples (pre-monsoon, monsoon and post-monsoon) were collected at a depth of 0-10 cm from different sites at three land use types. Soil physicochemical activity, microbial parameters (basal respiration and substrate-induced respiration) and enzyme activities were assessed using standard methods. The findings indicate that site-specific variations and microclimatic conditions play a significant role in soil nutrient turnover and the decomposition processes that govern seasonal microbial activity and enzyme production. Pearson correlation and principal component analysis revealed that soil nitrogen, moisture, and temperature are the most critical factors influencing microbial respiration and enzyme activities among these ecosystems. This study is more specific to comparative literature that explores the impact of land use and seasonal variations on soil microbiota in the semi-arid ecosystems, which aids in conserving the microbial and physicochemical properties of soil to maintain soil fertility and health.
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Author Information
Department of Botany, University of Rajasthan, Jaipur, India