ISHS Acta Horticulturae 644: International Symposium on Growing Media and Hydroponics
DEHYDROGENASE AS AN INDICATOR OF MICROBIAL ACTIVITY IN GROWING MEDIA |
| Authors: | W.R. Carlile, K. Dickinson |
| Keywords: | dehydrogenase, peat media, peat-free media |
| Abstract:
Extracellular dehydrogenase has been used as an indicator of microbial activity in soils and dehydrogenase activity, assayed by reduction of 2,3,5 triphenyltetrazolium chloride, was demonstrated in extracts from growing media. Activity was low in a peat-based growing medium, but higher in media prepared from composted materials, and was highest in a medium containing 50% pine bark with 50% chipboard waste. During storage, the activity of dehydrogenase declined in all media. Microbial activity as measured by CO2 evolution from media, did not always correspond to dehydrogenase activity, particularly in media containing composted spruce bark and paper waste. | |
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