ORIGINAL PAPER
Effect of controlled drought on soil enzymatic activity and respiration in the Histosol
1
University of Agriculture in Krakow, Faculty of Forestry, Department of Ecology and Silviculture, 29 Listopada Str. 46, 31-425 Krakow, Poland
Submission date: 2026-02-04
Final revision date: 2026-05-17
Acceptance date: 2026-10-09
Online publication date: 2026-10-09
Publication date: 2026-10-09
Corresponding author
Andrzej Szlachta
Wydział Leśny / Katedra Ekologii i Hodowli Lasu, Uniwersytet Rolniczy im. Hugona Kołłątaja, Al. 29 Listopada 46, 31-425, Kraków, Polska
Wydział Leśny / Katedra Ekologii i Hodowli Lasu, Uniwersytet Rolniczy im. Hugona Kołłątaja, Al. 29 Listopada 46, 31-425, Kraków, Polska
Soil Sci. Ann., 2026, 77(3)241601
KEYWORDS
ABSTRACT
The present study primarily aimed to determine the effects of controlled drought on chemical parameters, enzymatic activity, and net CO₂ emissions in the peat soil of a raised bog. This study also sought to better understand the trends in changes in these parameters across different moisture conditions and durations. Specifically, we examined the relationships between dehydrogenase and β-glucosidase activities, soil respiration, and selected chemical parameters in peat soil from a raised bog. Peat soil samples in the form of cores were collected and placed in phytotron chambers under controlled conditions for 3 months. After the completion of each month, the soil samples were analyzed for dehydrogenase and β-glucosidase activity and basic chemical properties such as carbon (C) and nitrogen (N) content, pH, and concentration of base cations. Respiration measurements were also performed using an automatic measurement chamber. The results showed that β-glucosidase activity was highest in the control treatment with a higher moisture content, while the enzyme activity was lower in the simulated drought treatment. Dehydrogenase activity exhibited a positive correlation with C content and concentrations of Ca²⁺, K⁺, and Mg²⁺ cations and a negative correlation with the C/N ratio. β-Glucosidase activity showed a positive correlation with pHH2O, N content, and concentrations of K⁺ and Na⁺ cations. The experiments also revealed that the mean net CO₂ emissions decreased as soil moisture decreased. Thus, our findings indicate that enzymatic activity may serve as a useful indicator of simulated drought-induced changes in peat soils.
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