<p><p><strong>Reference(s):</strong></p><p><em>Whiffin et al. (2007)</em></p><p><strong>Method Summary</strong></p><p>Microorganisms in soil specimens need nutrients to grow. Urease is a very important nutrient for bacteria. When no calcium ions exist, urease activity can be determined by a conductivity method. Since the urease reaction will increase conductivity under standard conditions, measurement of conductivity reflects urease activity, and urease activity reflects bacteria activity.</p><p><strong>Accuracy and Precision</strong></p><p>The accuracy and precision of this method are medium. A probe needs to be sticked into soil and then take a measurement. This method could monitor the growth of microorganisms accurately.</p><p><strong>Adequacy of Coverage</strong></p><p>The adequacy of coverage of this method is medium.</p><p><strong>Implementation Requirements </strong></p><p>This method has high implementation requirements.</p><p><strong>General Comments</strong></p><p>Since microorganisms need nutrients when they grow and the nutrients in the soil will decrease with microorganism growth. Urease activity monitoring can be used to monitor microorganism growth.</p></p>