Lipomycesin Some New Zealand and Pacific Soils

Abstract

The incidence of Lipomyces was examined in approximately 40 New Zealand soils and in some soils from Australia, California, Fiji, Niue, and the Cook Islands. Lipomyces was present in nearly all soils but was the dominant group of yeasts only in those soils from which other yeasts were virtually absent. Numbers were greatest in soils which suffered seasonal drought, tended to be higher in soils under crops than under pasture, and were less in whey-irrigated soils than in unirrigated counterparts. Numbers increased in soil treated with lactose or with lactose plus phosphate, but not in soil treated with lactose plus urea.