After reading this article you will learn about the beneficial and harmful effects of soil micro-organisms. Beneficial Effects of Soil Micro-Organisms: Plant and animal residues are broken down by the soil fauna and flora which prevent unwanted accumulation of fresh organic material. Secondary complex organic forms of nutrients are converted to the simple inorganic forms. The stability of soil aggregates [...]
After reading this article you will learn about the symbiotic and non-symbiotic nitrogen fixing bacteria. Symbiotic N2-Fixing Bacteria: The heterotrophic bacteria that fix di-nitrogen gas (N2) from the atmosphere in plant root nodules (symbiotic bacteria) have a mutually beneficial relationship with their host plants. Legumes (pod-bearing plants such as peas, beans, alfalfa and clovers etc.) had a beneficial effect upon [...]
This article throws light upon the seven major conditions affecting activities of micro-organisms present in soil. The conditions are: 1. Moisture 2. Soil Reaction 3. Temperature 4. Nutrients 5. Organic Matter 6. Microbial Products 7. Microbial Enemy. Condition # 1. Moisture: Dryness kills many microbes and many micro-organisms develop resistant strains or enter a dormant stage. Micro-organisms are less active [...]