MICROORGANISMS IN THE ROOT ZONE IN RELATION TO SOIL MOISTURE

Abstract

The influence of soil moisture on the microbial population of rhizosphere soil and of the root surface (rhizoplane) of wheat was studied under controlled conditions. Fertile soil adjusted to 30%, 60%, and 90% of its moisture-holding capacity was used. Bacterial counts and numbers of specific "physiological groups" of bacteria all increased in the rhizosphere and the rhizoplane as soil moisture decreased. Taxonomic studies of the bacteria isolated from the rhizoplane showed a marked preponderance of species of Pseudomonas under conditions of low and intermediate soil moisture content. On the other hand species of Arthrobacter, Bacillus, and Cytophaga dominated the population at high soil moisture. Although the distribution of fungi on the roots was very similar for the low and intermediate moisture levels, there was some restriction of colonization at the high level. Species of Mortierella, Rhizopus, Chaetomium, Curvularia, and Helminthosporium were not represented among isolates from roots at high soil moisture and the relative incidence of species of Fusarium and Phoma decreased. However, high soil moisture favored root colonization by species of Rhizoctonia and sterile dark fungi.