Considerations on the use of the p-nitrophenyl phosphomonoesterase assay in the study of the phosphorus nutrition of soil borne fungi

Tibbett, M. ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0003-0143-2190 (2002) Considerations on the use of the p-nitrophenyl phosphomonoesterase assay in the study of the phosphorus nutrition of soil borne fungi. Microbiological Research, 157 (3). pp. 221-231. ISSN 0944-5013 doi: 10.1078/0944-5013-00154

Abstract/Summary

The p-nitrophenyl phosphomonoesterase assay (p NPPase) is commonly used to measure cell-wall-associated and extracellular phosphatase activity of soil fungi. p NPPases are usually assayed in the context of fungal nutrition, where inorganic P supply might be enhanced by the mineralisation of monoester organic P sources in the soil. The importance of the assay to the P nutrition of soil fungi is considered based on the evidence currently available including the consistency of methodological approach. The nature of organic P in the soil and the relevance of the assay to some specific soil substrates is discussed, particularly the chemistry and bioavailability of myo-inositol hexakisphosphate and the lower inositol phosphates. The evidence for the long-term stability of p NPPases in the soil is examined in the light of the persistence of p NPPase in soils. The role of persistent extracellular fungal p NPPases in the soil P cycle is discussed. Conclusions from p NPPase based studies must be based upon an appreciation of the constraints of the assay and the complex chemistry of organic P and p NPPase in the soil.

Item Type	Article
URI	https://reading-clone.eprints-hosting.org/id/eprint/45425
Item Type	Article
Refereed	Yes
Divisions	Life Sciences > School of Agriculture, Policy and Development > Department of Sustainable Land Management > Centre for Agri-environmental Research (CAER)
Publisher	Elsevier
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