MICROÖRGANISMS CONCERNED IN THE DECOMPOSITION OF CELLULOSES IN THE SOIL

Abstract

Under aerobic conditions and in humid soils fungi are largely concerned in the decomposition of celluloses. In neutral soils, however, and especially in arid and alkaline soils, aerobic bacteria seem to play an important part in this process, while under anaerobic conditions, as in peat soils, anaerobic bacteria are solely concerned. The amount of cellulose decomposed in the soil under aerobic conditions is dependent upon the amount of available N. Under anaerobic conditions a much smaller amount of N is required for the decomposition of the same amount of cellulose, due to the smaller amount of energy liberated and utilized by the organisms decomposing cellulose under these conditions. The actinomycetes also seem to play a part in the decomposition of cellulose under certain conditions which favor their development.