Yeasts in New Zealand soils

Abstract

The yeast flora of New Zealand soils has been examined; selection of sampling sites was based on the New Zealand system of soil classification. Numbers of yeasts showed some relation to the amount of organic matter reaching the soil and to the degree of soil aeration. The distribution of species could best be related to soil moisture and temperature. The most commonly isolated taxa were Crytococcus albidus, a variant of Cr. albidus which used lactose slowly and weakly (L. variant).Cryptococcus terreus, and Candida curvata. C. curvata was the dominant yeast species of moist soils: those with good drainage and rainfall of more than 50 in. p.a., or a lower rainfall and impeded drainage. Cr. albidus L variant was common only in the semi-arid soils of the South Island. Cr. albidus was dominant in the cooler of the well drainal soils with a rainfall of less than 50 in., at or near sea level in the south of the South Island, or at higher altitudes in the rest of the country. Cr. terreus was dominant in the well drained soils of warmer districts.