AbstractsBiology & Animal Science

The effects of adding inorganic fertilizers and glucose on the morphological and physiological groups of bacteria in soil.

by James Wilbert. Rouatt




Institution: McGill University
Department: Department of Agricultural Bacteriology.
Degree: MS.
Year: 1947
Keywords: Agricultural Bacteriology.
Record ID: 1552446
Full text PDF: http://digitool.library.mcgill.ca/thesisfile125370.pdf


Abstract

The composition of the top few inches of the soil, with which the agriculturist is mainly concerned, consists of a mineral framework of inorganic particles varying in degree of subdivision and in chemical composition. These particles are coated with a hygroscopic layer of organic matter in the colloidal state, in various stages of decomposition, the whole in close association with inorganic aggregates in a similar state. The spaces between the particles are occupied by the soil atmosphere and the soil solution. The soil is biologically very active and provides the habitat for an extensive microbial population, comprising bacteria, actinomycetes, fungi, algae, and protozoa, for which the organic-inorganic colloid complex serves as a supply of energy and nutrition. Bacteria predominate, both in numbers and in variety of activities, over all the others and it is with this group that the present study is concerned.[...]