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Studies on the rhizosphere microflora of a desert plant

Изучение микрофлоры ризосферы растений в пустыне

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Abstract

The response of the bacterial population to edaphic drought of the Egyptian desert was investigated. The influence of the rhizosphere on the microbial population as compared with soil apart was studied. The total microbial flora, total simple nutritional microflora, spores of simple and complex nutritional requirements, Actinomycetes and Fungi were estimated. Some groups of organisms which carry out certain important biochemical processes in the soil were also investigated, namely, cellulose decomposers, nitrifiers, Azotobacter and Clostridia.

It was found that significatnly higher donsities of microbial population existed in the rhizosphere than in soil apart. This was attributed to organic matter and root secretion furnished by the growing roots of the desert plant, in addition to the presence of relatively moister conditions around the root than in soil apart. The high densities of microflora present in the rhizosphere indicate that the desert soil of this locality is suitable for reclamation since the only limiting factor in the proliferation of soil microorganisms are soil organic matter and moisture.

Cellulose decomposers and nitrogen fixers, were found in high densities in the rhizosphere but not detected in the soil apart. The significance of the rhizosphere as constituting a microhabitat is discussed.

The probable contribution of the periotrophic mantle of bacteria for protecting root cells against edaphic drought is also noted.

Mineralization of the high microbial protein in the rhizosphere supplies the plant with the necessary nutrients.

Abstract

Изучалась реакция популяций бактерий на засуху в египетской пустыне. Исследовалось влияние ризосферы (по сравнению со свободной почвой) на популяцию микробов. Было определено общее количество микроорганизмов, количество микроорганизмов со скромными требованиями к питанию, количество спорообразующих микроорганизмов е простыми и комплексными требованиями к питанию и количество актиномицетов и грибов. Изучались также некоторые группы микроорганизмов, осуществляющих важные биологические превращения в почве, а именно микроорганизмов, разлагающих целлюлозу, нитрификаторов, Azotobacter и Clostridia. Было установлено, что в ризосфере микробы гораздо более многочисленны, чем в свободной почве. Кроме стносительно большей влажности среды вблизи корней это обусловливается и влиянием органического вещества и корневых выделений, попадающих в почву пустыни. Обильная микрофлора в ризосфере растений в прстине свидетельствует о том, что почва пустыни в исследуемых местах пригодна для обработки, так как лимитирующими факторами в развитии микроорганизмов являются только влажность и органическое вещество почвы.

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Author notes

  1. S. A. Z. Mahmoud (Associate Professor of Agricultural Bacteriology)

    Present address: Faculty of Agriculture, Ain Shams University, Cairo, Egypt, U.A.R.

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Microbiological Section, Soil Department Ministry of Agriculture, Giza, Egypt, U.A.R.

    S. A. Z. Mahmoud (Associate Professor of Agricultural Bacteriology), M. Abou El-Fadl & M. Kh. Elmofty

Authors
  1. S. A. Z. Mahmoud
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  2. M. Abou El-Fadl
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  3. M. Kh. Elmofty
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Mahmoud, S.A.Z., El-Fadl, M.A. & Elmofty, M.K. Studies on the rhizosphere microflora of a desert plant. Folia Microbiol 9, 1–8 (1964). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF02875893

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