Long term effect of municipal waste disposal on soil properties and productivity of sites used for urban agriculture in Abakaliki,Nigeria

An assessment on the impact of long term (20 years) municipal waste disposal on soil physicochemical properties and soil productivity in municipal waste dump sites was carried out in urban Abakaliki, southeastern Nigeria. Profile pits were dug at selected points and auger and core samples were collected from different soil horizons of dump and non-dump sites using free survey technique to choose observation points. There were differences in particle size distribution between dump and non-dump sites. Similarly, soil bulk density was lower by 9-13% while total porosity and hydraulic conductivity were higher by 9-14% and 240-463%, respectively, in the dump site relative to non-dump sites. Soil organic matter, total nitrogen, cation exchange capacity (CEC) and percent base saturation increased from 701 to 743, 646 to 740, 7% to 10% and 5% to 14%, respectively, in the dump site soil relative to non-dump site soil. These results were confirmed by a high coefficient of alienation (degree of unrelatedness, square root(1 - R2)) in bulk density, 0.65; total porosity, 0.58; hydraulic conductivity, 0.87; organic matter, 0.93; total N, 0.82; pH, 0.85 and cation exchange capacity, 0.97 between dump and non-dump soils. Heavy metals (Pb, Cu, Fe and Zn) increased by between 214% and 2040% in dump site soils relative to non-dump site soil. This may lead to increased uptake of metals by some test crops although their transfer ratios differ from crop to crop. Long term dumping of municipal wastes can influence soil properties and productivity at municipal waste dump sites but still may be used for farming provided that ecotoxological risks associated with its usage are continuously assessed and controlled.     

不同地区森林土壤降解天然木质纤维素能力的分析评价

目的:分析不同地区森林土壤样品的木质纤维素分解能力,为分离和挖掘新的土壤木质纤维素分解酶系及微生物奠定基础.方法:测定来源于不同气候类型和植被的土壤样品的纤维素酶和木聚糖酶活性的变化以及对天然木质纤维素的降解能力.结果:土壤样品具有较高的初始木聚糖酶活,相反许多样品的纤维素酶活未测到.富集后,除个别样品酶活性稍有下降之外其余均明显提高,其中木聚糖酶活增长最多达118.58 u·g~(-1),纤维素酶活涨幅最多达110.00 u·g~(-1).各样品木质纤维素的降解量从24.4mg到93.1mg不等,降解效率最高55.35%.结论:来源于不同气候条件和不同类型土壤样品在天然木质纤维素降解能力以及相关的纤维素酶和木聚糖酶活性上表现出了广泛的多样性差异.     

Soil ciliates of the Indian Delhi Region: Their community characteristics with emphasis on their ecological implications as sensitive bio-indicators for soil quality

The present investigation aims to study the diversity of ciliates from different habitats in and around Delhi, India, and the correlation of this diversity with soil quality {agricultural lands (site 1 and 2), dump yards (site 3 and 4), sewage treatment plant (site 5), residential land (site 6), landfill (site 7) and barren land (site 8)}. Various physicochemical parameters of the different soil samples were studied and analysed for soil texture, interstitial water, pH, conductivity, total organic carbon, total organic matter, total nitrogen and phosphorous content, using standard protocols. Seventeen ciliate taxa belonging to four classes, seven orders, ten families, and 17 genera were recorded, with the maximum number of species (eleven) belonging to the class Spirotrichea. Ciliate diversity was highest at sites 5 and 6 and lowest at sites 1 and 2. Spathidium sp. was the dominant species in the conditioned land (site 8), while the ciliate Colpoda sp. was present in all the sites examined, showing the highest population density in the sewage treatment plant site (site 5). Statistical analysis showed that ciliate diversity was positively correlated to physicochemical parameters such as interstitial water, total organic matter and organic carbon, total nitrogen and total phosphorous content. Analyses of spirotrichs/colpodids (S/C) ratio and diversity indices implied that the habitat conditions of sites 1, 2, 3 and 8 are relatively unfavourable for soil ciliates to flourish; while sites 4, 5, 6 and 7 provided more favourable conditions. The ubiquity of ciliate distribution suggests their important role in the soil food webs and nutrient cycling, and their community structure and specific characteristics appear to be of major importance for soil formation. A full understanding of soil ciliate diversity and physicochemical parameters helps to inform best practice for improving soil quality as well as conservation practices for sustainable development and management of farms and cultivated lands. In conclusion, ciliate diversity serves as an important and sensitive bio-indicator for soil quality.     

Effect of the insecticide nerametrine EK-15 on the activity of soil microorganisms

The effect of the insecticide Nerametrine EK-15 (containing an active supercypermetrine component) on nitrification, nitrogen fixation, CO₂ production and cellulase activity of soil microorganisms was investigated. Four soil types were sampled from various localities. Supercypermetrine at 31 pmol/kg soil affected remarkably the metabolic activity of all soil samples tested by producing CO₂ after a 1-d exposure. After a 14-d exposure no difference in the metabolic activity related to CO₂ production was noticed in the case of garden soil where the insecticide at 31 pmol/kg soil and the unaffected control were used. As far as other samples are concerned, the supercypermetrine concentration amounting to 31 pmol/kg soil explicitly inhibited the metabolic activity of soil microorganisms. On the other hand, concentrations of 0.61 and 6.1 pmol/kg soil stimulated the metabolic activity of soil in the locality of Senica. The soil samples enriched with nutrients (organic nitrogen in urea) manifested an evident inhibition at 31 pmol/kg soil. The nitrification activity of all soil types was interrupted at 61 pmol/kg soil. Supercypermetrine 0.12 pmol/L stopped completely nitrogen fixation withA. chroococcum and that corresponding to 0.3 pmol/L stopped aerobic cellulase decomposition.     

Isolation of keratinolytic fungi from a coal mine dump

During the study of fungal succesion in the coal mine dump in Brzezinka (Poland), soil samples were examined for keratinolytic fungi. These micro-organisms were rather poorly represented in the area studied. Out of 300 soil samples examined, only 48 (16%) were positive for keratinolytic fungi.Trichophyton ajelloi andArthroderma curreyi were the prevailing species. These species occurred practically at two locations, i.e. on the naked carbon rocks inhabited by algae crops (chiefly byCyanophyta) and in the pine litter. It can be supposed that the occurrence of keratinolytic fungi was more dependent on the favourable general conditions such as increasing organic matter content, microflora, and humidity than on the presence of keratin remains in the soil. Because of the lack of potentially pathogenic fungi, the coal mine dump examined cannot be considered as an important source of fungal infection.     

华西雨屏区苦竹林土壤酶活性对模拟氮沉降的响应

2007年11月-2009年5月,对华西雨屏区苦竹人工林进行了模拟氮沉降试验,氮沉降水平分别为：对照(0 g N·m^-2·a^-1)、低氮(5 g N·m^-2·a^-1)、中氮(15 g N·m^-2·a^-1)和高氮(30 g N·m^-2·a^-1).在氮沉降进行半年后,每月采集各样方0～20 cm土壤样品,测定其土壤酶活性,连续测定1年.结果表明：苦竹人工林样地中6种土壤酶活性的季节变化较明显,蔗糖酶、纤维素酶和酸性磷酸酶活性的高峰期出现在春季,脲酶活性高峰期出现在秋季,而过氧化物酶和多酚氧化酶活性高峰期出现在冬季;氮沉降增加了苦竹林土壤中木质素分解酶和碳、氮、磷分解相关酶（多酚氧化酶、蔗糖酶、酸性磷酸酶和脲酶）的活性,抑制了纤维素酶活性,而对过氧化物酶的影响不显著;苦竹林生态系统处于一种氮限制状态,氮沉降刺激了微生物-酶系统对土壤有机质的分解.     

The use of Tradescantia and Vicia faba bioassays for the in situ detection of mutagens in an aquatic environment.

Tests have shown plant bioassays to be excellent for mutagenicity studies. Most studies with plant bioassays, however, have been carried out either in the laboratory, or if, in situ, as monitors of atmospheric contaminants. The primary purpose of this study was to assess the utility of in situ plant mutagenicity bioassays in monitoring water contaminants. The assay systems tested were the Tradescantia stamen hair and micronucleus assays for the detection of gene mutations and chromosomal aberrations respectively, and the Vicia faba bioassay system which detects chromosomal aberrations in root tips. The assays were used to test the effluent from a pulp and paper mill located on the north shore of Lake Superior. Assays were performed in a creek containing raw effluent and in the bay of Lake Superior into which the creek emptied. All in situ treatments were carried out for 24 h. The effluent from the creek was heavy with pulp and debris which coated the plant cuttings and the Vicia faba seedlings and may have restricted the uptake from the effluent. In the creek, at test sites 11.5 km from the source, the effluent was toxic to the Vicia faba roots as evidenced by a reduction in the mitotic index. The data for the Tradescantia stamen hair assay in the creek were equivocal. The cuttings from the creek test sites and the air and water control sites appeared to have undergone a physiological delay. Within a day or two after the return to the laboratory, that is 6-8 days after testing, flowering almost ceased and did not fully resume until about day 35. This reduction in flowering was particularly severe with the cuttings from the effluent and air control sites, making it very difficult to interpret the results. In contrast, the Tradescantia micronucleus and Vicia faba chromosomal aberration data were unequivocal; each produced positive responses at both test sites relative to the air and water controls. The results obtained for the bay sites with all 3 assays were in agreement. In that section of the bay visibly contaminated by the creek effluent, increases in stamen hair mutants, micronuclei, and chromosome aberrations were measured. In general, there was a considerable reduction in the number of mutant events observed for the water samples brought back from the test sites and tested in the laboratory.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 400 WORDS)     

Comparative Resistance and Resilience of Soil Microbial Communities and Enzyme Activities in Adjacent Native Forest and Agricultural Soils

Degradation of soil properties following deforestation and long-term soil cultivation may lead to decreases in soil microbial diversity and functional stability. In this study, we investigated the differences in the stability (resistance and resilience) of microbial community composition and enzyme activities in adjacent soils under either native tropical forest (FST) or in agricultural cropping use for 14 years (AGR). Mineral soil samples (0 to 5 cm) from both areas were incubated at 40°C, 50°C, 60°C, or 70°C for 15 min in order to successively reduce the microbial biomass. Three and 30 days after the heat shocks, fluorescein diacetate (FDA) hydrolysis, cellulase and laccase activities, and phospholipid-derived fatty acids-based microbial community composition were measured. Microbial biomass was reduced up to 25% in both soils 3 days after the heat shocks. The higher initial values of microbial biomass, enzyme activity, total and particulate soil organic carbon, and aggregate stability in the FST soil coincided with higher enzymatic stability after heat shocks. FDA hydrolysis activity was less affected (more resistance) and cellulase and laccase activities recovered more rapidly (more resilience) in the FST soil relative to the AGR counterpart. In the AGR soil, laccase activity did not show resilience to any heat shock level up to 30 days after the disturbance. Within each soil type, the microbial community composition did not differ between heat shock and control samples at day 3. However, at day 30, FST soil samples treated at 60°C and 70°C contained a microbial community significantly different from the control and with lower biomass regardless of high enzyme resilience. Results of this study show that deforestation followed by long-term cultivation changed microbial community composition and had differential effects on microbial functional stability. Both soils displayed similar resilience to FDA hydrolysis, a composite measure of a broad range of hydrolases, supporting the concept of high functional redundancy in soil microbial communities. In contrast, the resilience of the substrate-specific activities of laccase and cellulase were lower in AGR soils, indicating a less diverse community of microorganisms capable of producing these enzymes and confirming that specific microbial functions are more sensitive measurements for evaluating change in the ecological stability of soils.     

重金属污染区土壤酶活性变化——以福建龙岩新罗区特钢厂污水灌溉区为例

从福建龙岩新罗区特钢厂污灌区农田采集土壤,测定土壤基本理化性质及脲酶、纤维素酶、碱性磷酸酶、多酚氧化酶、过氧化氢酶活性和Cu、Cd、Pb、Zn含量,探讨重金属污染和土壤性质对土壤酶活性的影响.结果表明:4种全量或有效态重金属与土壤脲酶、纤维素酶、碱性磷酸酶和多酚氧化酶活性呈显著正相关,与过氧化氢酶活性呈显著或极显著负相关;土壤pH与碱性磷酸酶活性呈极显著正相关,粉粒含量与过氧化氢酶活性呈显著负相关.经通径分析,重金属污染刺激了脲酶、多酚氧化酶和纤维素酶活性,但对碱性磷酸酶活性的影响较小.有效态Cu、Cd、Pb、zn对过氧化氢酶活性的直接影响并不大,但通过间接途径抑制了过氧化氢酶活性.土壤理化性质对5种土壤酶活性的影响较大,碱解氮直接抑制了脲酶活性;全磷直接刺激了碱性磷酸酶和过氧化氢酶活性,并通过有效磷刺激了纤维素酶活性;有效磷直接刺激了纤维素酶活性,直接抑制了碱性磷酸酶和过氧化氢酶活性;全钾直接抑制了碱性磷酸酶和多酚氧化酶活性;速效钾通过有效磷刺激了纤维素酶活性;土壤颗粒组成明显影响多酚氧化酶和过氧化氢酶活性.5种酶活性与土壤Cu、Cd、Pb、Zn含量之间的关系不明确,因此其活性不是指示土壤Cu、Cd、Pb、Zn污染的良好指标.     

Phytoremediation of coal mine spoil dump through integrated biotechnological approach

Field experiment was conducted on mine spoil dump on an area of 10 ha, to restore the fertility and productivity of the coal mine spoil dump using integrated biotechnological approach. The approach involves use of effluent treatment plant sludge (ETP sludge), as an organic amendment, biofertilizers and mycorrihzal fungi along with suitable plant species. The results of the study indicated that amendment with effluent treatment plant sludge (ETP sludge), @ 50 ton/ha improved the physico-chemical properties of coal mine spoil. Due to biofertilizer inoculation different microbial groups such as Rhizobium, Azotobacter and VAM spores, which were practically absent in mine spoil improved greatly. Inoculation of biofertilizer and application of ETP sludge helped in reducing the toxicity of heavy metals such as chromium, zinc, copper, iron, manganese lead, nickel and cadmium, which were significantly reduced to 41%, 43%, 37%, 37%, 34%, 39%, 37% and 40%, respectively, due to the increased organic matter content in the ETP sludge and its alkaline pH (8.10-8.28), at which the metals gets immobilized and translocation of metals is arrested. Thus, amendment and biofertilizer application provided better supportive material for anchorage and growth of the plant on coal mine spoil dump.     

重金属污染区土壤酶活性变化

从福建龙岩新罗区特钢厂污灌区农田采集土壤,测定土壤基本理化性质及脲酶、纤维素酶、碱性磷酸酶、多酚氧化酶、过氧化氢酶活性和Cu、Cd、Pb、Zn含量,探讨重金属污染和土壤性质对土壤酶活性的影响.结果表明： 4种全量或有效态重金属与土壤脲酶、纤维素酶、碱性磷酸酶和多酚氧化酶活性呈显著正相关,与过氧化氢酶活性呈显著或极显著负相关;土壤pH与碱性磷酸酶活性呈极显著正相关,粉粒含量与过氧化氢酶活性呈显著负相关.经通径分析,重金属污染刺激了脲酶、多酚氧化酶和纤维素酶活性,但对碱性磷酸酶活性的影响较小.有效态Cu、Cd、Pb、Zn对过氧化氢酶活性的直接影响并不大,但通过间接途径抑制了过氧化氢酶活性.土壤理化性质对5种土壤酶活性的影响较大,碱解氮直接抑制了脲酶活性;全磷直接刺激了碱性磷酸酶和过氧化氢酶活性,并通过有效磷刺激了纤维素酶活性;有效磷直接刺激了纤维素酶活性,直接抑制了碱性磷酸酶和过氧化氢酶活性;全钾直接抑制了碱性磷酸酶和多酚氧化酶活性;速效钾通过有效磷刺激了纤维素酶活性;土壤颗粒组成明显影响多酚氧化酶和过氧化氢酶活性.5种酶活性与土壤Cu、Cd、Pb、Zn含量之间的关系不明确,因此其活性不是指示土壤Cu、Cd、Pb、Zn污染的良好指标.     

Revegetation of a uranium mine dump by using fertilizer treated sessile oaks

The rehabilitation of contaminated sites and the establishment of suitable trees for revegetation purposes is often problematic due to the mostly suboptimal nutrient supply and the poor humus reservoir. For these reasons hydrogels (Stockosorb) and novel humus substitutes (NOVIHUM), serving as long lasting fertilizer (LLF), were recently tested successfully. At the beginning of this multiyear study, those LLFs were administered to the root zone of young sessile oaks (Quercus petraea (Mattuschka) Liebl.), growing in test trials on a uranium mine dump in Schlema (Germany). To quantify the effect of LLFs on plant vitality, chlorophyll a fluorescence measurements and JIP test analyses were used. The results revealed up to 49% higher average photosynthetic vitality (PI(ABS)) of the LLF treated plants compared to controls. Particularly in the first test year, the efficiency of photosynthetic electron transport was strongly increased. This stimulation of photosynthetic activity was supported by direct measurements showing up to 129% increased diameter growth of the treated plants after a four year experimental period. Furthermore an increase of the maximum water holding capacity of the dump soil was attained by using LLFs. Overall, the findings reported here represent a feasible, ecologically justifiable reforestation method with a low environmental hazard potential.     

Enzyme enhanced solid-state fermentation of kenaf core fiber for storage and pretreatment

Kenaf is an annual fiber crop adaptable to a wide range of climates and soil types. This study investigated the use of kenaf core fiber as a feedstock for enzyme-enhanced fermentation. Triplicate kenaf core fiber samples were treated with enzymes having cellulase:hemicellulase activity ratios of 0:1, 0.015:1, 0.45:1, and 2.54:1 at a rate of 5010 IU/kg dry matter hemicellulase activity, vacuum-sealed, and incubated at 37 degrees C for 21 d. Samples were analyzed for pH, water soluble carbohydrates, organic acids, and hemicellulose and cellulose concentrations. All treatments produced a pH less than 4.0, which is sufficient for stable storage. Treatments with 2.54:1 and 0.45:1 produced the highest water soluble carbohydrate and lactic acid concentrations. Enzymes with no or low cellulase activity produced results similar to the control. Utilizing enzyme mixtures with high cellulase activity is an effective pretreatment method for ensiled kenaf core fiber.     

Molecular and biochemical markers for monitoring dynamic shifts of cellulolytic protozoa in Reticulitermes flavipes

Lower termites rely on cellulolytic protozoa to aid in the digestion of their wood-based diet. However, despite the major contribution of protozoa to the lower termite digestive system, few techniques have been developed to monitor shifts in protozoan populations. This study investigated whether quantitative real-time PCR (qRT-PCR) and/or cellulase enzyme assays can be used to monitor changes of cellulolytic protozoan populations in the lower termite, Reticulitermes flavipes (Kollar). Previously developed cellulase primer sets were used to test for changes in cellulase gene expression, while three different cellulase enzyme assays were used to assess changes in cellulase enzyme activity. The results from this study indicate that qRT-PCR is a reliable method to monitor shifts in cellulolytic protozoan populations. Specifically, qRT-PCR can serve as a useful monitoring technique during high-throughput screening of novel termite control agents such as cellulase inhibitors, and help to answer questions relating to whether or not such control agents impact cellulolytic protozoan populations.     

Differential responses of carbon‐degrading enzyme activities to warming: Implications for soil respiration

Extracellular enzymes catalyze rate‐limiting steps in soil organic matter decomposition, and their activities (EEAs) play a key role in determining soil respiration (SR). Both EEAs and SR are highly sensitive to temperature, but their responses to climate warming remain poorly understood. Here, we present a meta‐analysis on the response of soil cellulase and ligninase activities and SR to warming, synthesizing data from 56 studies. We found that warming significantly enhanced ligninase activity by 21.4% but had no effect on cellulase activity. Increases in ligninase activity were positively correlated with changes in SR, while no such relationship was found for cellulase. The warming response of ligninase activity was more closely related to the responses of SR than a wide range of environmental and experimental methodological factors. Furthermore, warming effects on ligninase activity increased with experiment duration. These results suggest that soil microorganisms sustain long‐term increases in SR with warming by gradually increasing the degradation of the recalcitrant carbon pool.     

Phosphate solubilization potential and stress tolerance of rhizobacteria from rice soil in Northern Thailand

Plant growth-promoting rhizobacteria (PGPR) are known to influence plant growth by various direct or indirect mechanisms. A total of 216 phosphate-solubilizing bacterial isolates were isolated from different rice rhizospheric soil in Northern Thailand. These isolate were screened in vitro for their plant growth-promoting activities such as solubilization of inorganic phosphate, ammonia (NH₃), catalase and cell wall-degrading enzyme activity. It was found that 100% solubilized inorganic phosphate, 77.77% produced NH₃ and most of the isolates were positive for catalase. In addition, some strains also produced cell wall-degrading enzymes such as protease (7%), chitinase (1%), cellulase (3%) and β-glucanase (3%), as evidenced by phenotypic biochemical test and quantitative assay using spectrophotometry. The isolates could exhibit more than two or three plant growth-promoting (PGP) traits, which may promote plant growth directly or indirectly or synergistically. Part of this study focused on the effect of NaCl, temperature, and pH on a specific the bacterial isolate Acinetobacter CR 1.8. Strain CR 1.8 was able to grow on up to 25% NaCl, between 25 and 55°C, and at pH 5–9. Maximum solubilization of tricalcium phosphate and aluminium phosphate was obtained at neutral pH, and 37°C. Strain CR 1.8 had protease activity but no cellulase, β-glucanase and cellulase activities.     

Occurrence and microbial degradation of fipronil residues in tropical highland rhizosphere soils of Kerala,India

The aim of the current study was to analyze the abundance and activity of soil microflora in response to fipronil residues, as well as conjointly to isolate and identify bacteria for the bioremediation of fipronil contaminated soils in the cardamom plantations of Idukki district, Kerala. Soil samples collected from rhizosphere areas of six completely different cardamom plantations were analyzed for fipronil residues, physicochemical properties, biochemical properties, and microbial abundance. Biodegradation studies using isolated bacteria were done both in liquid medium and in soil microcosm fortified with fipronil. Fipronil residues were detected in all sampling sites. Canonical correlation analysis revealed that the influence of fipronil on soil physicochemical properties was more pronounced than that on soil microbial properties. The presence of fipronil residues in the soil did not adversely affect bacterial abundance and activity. Two bacterial strains Staphylococcus arlettae and Bacillus thuringiensis could degrade fipronil in both liquid culture and soil. Paired sample T-test and degradation kinetic study recorded that the bacterial strain S. arlettae was more efficient (81.94%) in fipronil degradation than B. thuringiensis (65.98%). The results revealed the potential for in situ bioremediation of fipronil contaminated soil by bioaugmentation using efficient bacterial isolates.     

Hydrolytic enzyme activity in landfilled refuse

Extracellular hydrolytic enzyme activity was assayed in 28 refuse samples excavated from 14 bore holes in Fresh Kills Landfill, Staten Island, N. Y. Esterases, proteases and amylases were present in all of the samples. Enzyme screening assays utilizing the API-ZYM test system showed the incidence of enzymes in the order: specific phosphatases > esterases > glycosyl hydrolases. Measurement of cellulase by the cellulose-azure test detected activity in two out of 28 samples. Analysis for cellulase activity using the cellulose-azure test on refuse samples from landfills in Naples, Florida, and Tucson, Arizona, also showed a limited distribution of cellulases. Mineralization of [¹⁴C]cellulose, an independent measure of cellulase activity, ranged from < 5 to 23% in a 4-week incubation, which supports a highly variable cellulolytic activity in landfilled refuse. Correspondence to: A. C. Palmisano     

Derepressed synthesis of cellulase by Cellulomonas.

A Cellulomonas sp. was isolated from the soil which hydrolyzed cellulose, as shown by clear-zone formation on cellulose agar medium. Catabolite repression of cellulase synthesis occurred when moderate levels of glucose were added to the medium. A stable mutant that no longer exhibits catabolite repression was produced through treatment of the wild-type organism with N-methyl-N'-nitro-N-nitrosoguanidine. Both enzyme concentration and specific activity, as determined by the rate of hydrolysis of carboxymethylcellulose, were greater with the mutant than with the wild-type organism under various test conditions. The wild type had no measurable cellulase activity when grown in the presence of either 1.0% glucose or cellobiose. Cellobiose, but not glucose, inhibited enzyme activity towards both cellulose and carboxymethylcellulose. Cellobiose, cellulose, and sophorose at low concentrations induced cellulase synthesis in both the wild-type and the mutant organism. Cellulase regulation appears to depend upon a complex relationship involving catabolite repression, inhibition, and induction.     

Cellulolytic microbes in the Yanbaru, a subtropical rainforest with an endemic biota on Okinawa Island, Japan

Cellulolytic microbes in the soil of the Yanbaru, a subtropical forest with an endemic biota, on Okinawa Island, were isolated and characterized in a search for novel microbial strains with biotechnological potential. Soil samples of the Yanbaru were suspended in sterilized water, inoculated on mineral salt agar overlaid with a filter paper as carbon source, and cultivated aerobically at 30 °C. After 2 weeks of cultivation, emerging colonies were isolated and subjected to phylogenetic and enzyme analyses. The phylogenetic analyses revealed bacterial and fungal isolates belonging to nine and three genera respectively. All isolates possessed cellulase activity, and several strains showed strong activity comparable to Trichoderma cellulase. Many isolates also exhibited xylanase activity.