AN OPTIMIZED METHOD FOR THE DETERMINATION OF PROTEASE ACTIVITY IN ACID FOREST SOILS

A method for the determination of protease activity was tested for its applicability to acid forest soils (O-horizon and mineral soil). The influences of the following parameters on the protease activity and it s determination were investigated: incubation time, substrate concentr ation, pH-value of the incubation solution, buffer solution, sample ma trix and storage of soil samples. In consequence of the results an opt imized method is proposed. The application of this modified method to two forest sites with contrasting N-transformation indicates, that als o in acid forest soils the determination of protease activity allows s ignificant differentiations.