Extracellular soil enzymes are fundamental for the functioning of ecosystems. Several processes in the soil depend on the activity of these enzymes, including plant decomposition, soil organic matter formation/mineralization, and nutrient cycling. Moreover, extracellular enzyme activity occurs in the soil and is therefore influenced by environmental factors. Due to the high sensitivity to these factors, extracellular enzymes are used for monitoring soil quality. This review aimed to present the main contributions of soil enzymes to agriculture, emphasizing the dynamics [...] ABSTRACT Extracellular soil enzymes are fundamental for the functioning of ecosystems. Several processes in the soil depend on the activity of these enzymes, including plant decomposition, soil organic matter formation/mineralization, and nutrient cycling. Moreover, extracellular enzyme activity occurs in the soil and is therefore influenced by environmental factors. Due to the high sensitivity to these factors, extracellular enzymes are used for monitoring soil quality. This review aimed to present the main contributions of soil enzymes to agriculture, emphasizing the dynamics

Poultry agro-industry generates huge amounts of solid wastes, such as poultry litter (PL) and feathers. Feathers, possessing a substantial amount of organic nitrogen, are mainly converted into feather meal (FM) through the hydrothermal process; however, microbial conversion into feather hydrolysates (FH) is increasingly being focused on. Since waste management strategies include the use of organic wastes as soil fertilizer, PL, FM, and FH were evaluated as fertilizers for lettuce in comparison to urea.