Enzymatic Activity of Soil Microbiota in Agroecological Systems: A Review of its Relevance for Nutrient Cycling
João Manoel da Silva *
Research Group in Microbiology, Universidade Federal de Alagoas, Campus de Engenharias e Ciências Agrárias, Rio Largo, Alagoas, Brazil.
Regla Toujaguez
Geology and Natural Resources Laboratory, Universidade Federal de Alagoas, Campus de Engenharias e Ciências Agrárias, Rio Largo, Alagoas, Brazil.
Elizabeth Simões do Amaral Alves
Universidade Federal Rural de Pernambuco, Campus Sede, Recife, Pernambuco, Brazil.
Paula Cibelly Vilela da Silva
Laboratory of Geology and Natural Resources, Universidade Federal de Alagoas, Campus de Engenharias e Ciências Agrárias, Rio Largo, Alagoas, Brazil.
Yamina Coentro Montaldo
Agricultural Microbiology Laboratory, Universidade Federal de Alagoas, Campus de Engenharias e Ciências Agrárias, Rio Largo, Alagoas, Brazil.
Tania Marta Carvalho dos Santos
Agricultural Microbiology Laboratory, Universidade Federal de Alagoas, Campus de Engenharias e Ciências Agrárias, Rio Largo, Alagoas, Brazil.
Rafael dos Santos Balbino
Universidade Federal Rural de Pernambuco, Campus Sede, Recife, Pernambuco, Brazil.
Vitória Régia Ramos de Albuquerque Rocha Ramalho
Instituto Federal de Educação, Ciência e Tecnologia de Alagoas, Campus Santana do Ipanema, Santana do Ipanema, Alagoas, Brazil.
*Author to whom correspondence should be addressed.
Abstract
The increasing adoption of agroecological systems requires a deeper understanding of soil biology, particularly microbial enzymatic activity, which is a key element in nutrient dynamics and availability. Enzymes produced by soil bacteria, such as urease, phosphatase, and β-glucosidase, directly participate in the transformation of organic matter into plant-assimilable forms. This literature review aims to gather and analyze recent scientific evidence on the role of bacterial enzymatic activity in soils managed under agroecological practices, discussing its implications for nutrient cycling and agricultural sustainability. The reviewed studies indicate that practices such as organic fertilization, cover cropping, and crop rotation favor the functional biodiversity of soils, enhancing enzymatic activity and the efficiency of biogeochemical processes. It is concluded that valuing the microbiological and biochemical aspects of soils is fundamental for the development of sustainable agricultural practices.
Keywords: Agroecology, soil enzymes, bacterial microbiota, nutrient cycling, biological fertility