Abstract
In this research paper, the role of zinc as a highly toxic element in the soil–plant system and the degree of influence on the enzymatic activity of dehydrogenase in serozem were studied. Experimental work was carried out using the box method, and various concentrations of zinc were introduced into the soil artificially. Research has established that soil contamination with zinc in the amount of 0,5; 2,5; 5,0 MPC acts as an inhibitor of redox reactions characterizing soil fertility and biological activity. As a result of the conducted model experiments, it was found that soil contamination with zinc reduces the enzymatic activity of dehydrogenase. Zinc binds to the sulfhydryl groups of the dehydrogenase molecule, thereby disrupting its enzymatic properties. There is a tendency to decrease the activity of dehydrogenase with an increase in the zinc content in the soil. At 0,5; 2,5; 5,0 MPC of zinc in the soil, the indicators of dehydrogenase activity decrease by 77.6-93.0% compared with the control experiment. In all samples, it was found that the introduction of vermicompost into the soil slightly increases the dehydrogenase activity compared to the control experiment, despite the addition of zinc in various concentrations. This can be explained by an increase in the number of microorganisms that contribute to the synthesis of enzymes when adding vermicompost to the soil. Vermicompost not only increases the activity of enzymes in the soil, but also increases soil fertility.