Summary
-
1.
The literature on the microorganisms in the intestine of earthworms is reviewed in the introduction.
-
2.
Our methods for the isolation of various types of microorganisms are described.
-
3.
The microbiological examination of 60 Indian earthworms mostly by enrichment culture methods resulted in the demonstration of a mixed microflora as represented by our 343 isolates. Their physiological activities, such as oxalate decomposition, cellulose decomposition, nitrogen fixation and asparagine utilisation, are described and their implication in soil fertility pointed out. Some frequently occurring types like Pseudomonas, coryneform Bacteria, Nocardias, Streptomycetes and sporeforming Bacilli compose the normal flora.
-
4.
Nitrosifying and nitrifying bacteria do not appear to be associated with the earthworm intestine. No coliform bacteria of significance from the public health point of view seem to be associated with the earthworm.
-
5.
The isolation of the cellulolytic, but at the same time plant pathogenic, Fusaria presents a problem in judging the practical value of the earthworms.
-
6.
The results suggest the earthworms to be important agents contributing to soil fertility.
Similar content being viewed by others
References
Aichberger, R. Von: Die Kleinwelt. Z. Dtsch. Mikrolog. Gesell. 6, 53, 69 (1914).
Bassalik, K.: Z. Gärungsphysiol. 2, 1 (1913a).
: Jb. Bot. 53, 255 (1913b).
Bhat, J. V., and H. A. Barker: J. Bacter. 55, 359 (1948).
Bhat, J. V., and S. R. Khambata: Soc. Biol. Chem., India, Silver Jubilee Souvenir, 186 (1955).
Breed, R. S., E. G. D. Murray and A. P. Hitchens: Bergey's Manual of determinative Bacteriology, 6th ed. Baltimore, Md.: Williams & Wilkins Co., 1948.
Cohen, S., and H. B. Lewis: Federat. Proc. 8, 191 (1949).
Day, G. M.: Soil Sci. 69, 175 (1950).
Delaunay, H.: Recherches biochimiques sur l'excretion azotée des invertébrés. Bordeaux: Thesis 1927.
Dubos, R. J.: J. Bacter. 15, 223 (1928).
: Louis Pasteur, Free Lance of Science, London: Victor Gollancz Ltd. 1951.
Düggeli, M.: Ber. schweiz. bot. Ges. 36, 24 (1927).
Freitas, Y. M., and J. V. Bhat: J. Univ. Bombay 23 (3 B), 53 (1954).
Gianferrari, L., and G. Cantoni: Boll. Ist. sieroter. Milan. 15, 369 (1936).
Gropengiesser, C.: Zbl. Bakter. II Orig. 64, 495 (1925).
Heymons, R.: Z. Pflanzenernährg 2 (A), 97 (1923).
Iyer, V., and J. V. Bhat: Arch. Mikrobiol. 23, 88 (1955).
Janota, L.: Acta Societatis Botanicorum Poloniae. 25, 73 (1956).
Kelkar, B. V.: Study of nitrification and other processes brought about by Earthworms in soils and effect of Earthworms on fertility of the soils. M.Sc. thesis, Univ. of Bombay (1949).
Khambata, S. R.: Studies on some microorganisms associated with the intestine of the Indian Earthworm. Ph.D. thesis, Univ. of Bombay (1954).
Khambata, S. R., and J. V. Bhat: J. Bacter 66, 505 (1953a).
: Proc. Indian Acad. Sci. Sect. B 38, 157 (1953b).
: Nature (Lond.) 174, 696 (1954).
: J. Bacter. 69, 227 (1955a).
: Arch. Mikrobiol. 22, 175 (1955b).
Lobo, F. X.: Microorganisms of the intestinal tract as revealed by the enrichment culture method. M.Sc. thesis, Univ. of Bombay (1950).
Parr, L. W.: J. Inf. Dis. 60, 291 (1937).
Peklo, J.: Nature (Lond.) 158, 795 (1946).
Pierantoni, U.: Arch. Zool. ital. 22, 135 (1935).
Rathbun, A. E.: Phytopathology 8, 469 (1918).
Routien, J. B., and A. C. Finlay: Bacter. Rev. 16, 51 (1952).
Russell, E. J.: Soil conditions and plant growth, 8 th ed. Recast and rewritten by E. Walter Russell. London: Longmans, Green & Co 1950.
Sanborn, J. R.: J. Bacter. 12, 343 (1926); 14, 395 (1927).
Scales, F. M.: Bot. Gaz. 60, 149 (1915).
Shrikhande, J. G.: Biochemic. J. 27, 1563 (1933).
Siu, R. G. H.: Microbial decomposition of cellulose. New York: Reinhold Publishing Corp. 1951.
Skinner, C. E., C. W. Emmons and H. M. Tsuchiya: Henrici's Molds, Yeasts, and Actinomycetes, 2nd ed., New York: John Wiley & Sons, Inc. 1947.
Smith, G.: An introduction to industrial Mycology, 3rd ed. London: Edward Arnold & Co. Ltd. 1946.
Smith, N. R.: J. Bacter. 27, 54 (1934).
Smith, N. R., and F. E. Clark: J. Bacter. 35, 59 (1938).
Smith, N. R., R. E. Gordon and F. E. Clark: Aerobic sporeforming Bacteria. U.S. Dept. of Agric., Agricultural Monograph No. 16 (1952).
Society of American Bacteriologists: Manual of methods for pure culture study of Bacteria. Biotech. Publications, Geneva, N.Y. (1946).
Söhngen, N. L.: Zbl. Bakter. II Orig. 40, 545 (1914).
Stöckli, A.: Landw. Jb. 42, 1 (1928).
Swaby, R. J.: J. Soil Sci. 1, 195 (1950).
Taylor, M. W.: Phytopathology 7, 374 (1917).
Thomson, J. A.: Biology for everyman. Vol. I. London: J. M. Dent & Sons, Ltd. 1934.
Tóth, L.: The biological fixation of atmospheric nitrogen. Hungarian Museum of Natural Sciences, Budapest (1946).
Tracey, M. V.: Nature (Lond.) 167, 776 (1951).
Ueda, K., S. Ishikawa, T. Itami and T. Asai: J. Agric. Chem. Soc., Japan 25 (10), 543 (1952); 26 (1), 35 (1952).
Vakil, J. R., S. R. Khambata, and J. V. Bhat: Proc. Indian Acad. Sci. Sect. B 36, 243 (1952).
Waksman, S. A.: The Actinomycetes. The Chronica Botanica Co. Waltham, Mass. 1950.
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Additional information
Junior Scientific Officer, „Survey of Microflora of Soils”. Indian Council of Agricultural Research Scheme.
Rights and permissions
About this article
Cite this article
Khambata, S.R., Bhat, J.V. A contribution to the study of the intestinal microflora of Indian earthworms. Archiv. Mikrobiol. 28, 69–80 (1957). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00411311
Received:
Issue Date:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00411311