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Soil conditions and root diseases: IV—The effect of micro-elements on the occurrence of bacteria, actinomycetes and fungi in soils

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Proceedings / Indian Academy of Sciences

Summary

A study on the effects of certain micro-elements—Al, B, Co, Li, Mn, Mo, Ni and Zn—on soil bacteria, actinomycetes and fungi in the soil has been made.

The occurrences of these groups of micro-organisms were found to be significantly influenced by the amendments.

The bacterial numbers increased enormously in the Mn amended soils. This was closely followed by B, and by Zn, Mo and Li to a lesser extent. Ni, Al and Co exerted an adverse influence on the bacterial population of the soil.

The statistical interpretation of the results clearly indicated the marked significance of all the three factors,viz., Micro-elements, concentrations, incubation periods and also the following interactions: Micro-elements × Concentrations Micro-elements × Incubation periods

The numbers of actinomycete colonies were observed in greater numbers in soil samples amended with Li and to a lesser extent with Mn, B and Co.

The micro-elements with the exception of Zn and Ni increased considerably fungal numbers in the soil. Li showed fivefold increase in fungal numbers and as much as threefold increase in Mn, Mo, Co, B and Al as compared with the unamended control.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. University Botany Laboratory, Madras

    C. B. Sulochana

Authors
  1. C. B. Sulochana
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Additional information

Communicated by Prof. T. S. Sadasivan,f.a.sc.

Part of thesis approved for the Degree of Master of Science of the Madras University.

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Sulochana, C.B. Soil conditions and root diseases: IV—The effect of micro-elements on the occurrence of bacteria, actinomycetes and fungi in soils. Proc. Indian Acad. Sci. 36, 19–33 (1952). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF03052460

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF03052460

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