MICROBIAL ACTIVITIES IN SOIL

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Abstract
Periodical microbial and chemical analyses of untreated samples of these soils and of samples receiving 2% of their homologous organic residue and of the organic residue from the opposite soil respectively disclosed a lag of 2-3 weeks between maximum C02 production and max. microbial numbers. The variously treated Helmer soils supported more fungi and bacteria and less actinomycetes than the corresponding Palouse soils. Helmer duff in Helmer soil stimulated fungus growth more and bacterial and actinomycete growth less than did Palouse litter. Helmer duff in Palouse soil stimulated fungus and bacterial growth more and actinomycete growth much less than did Palouse litter. The humus and undecomposed plant residues of Palouse soil contained more H2SO4-soluble C and N than corresponding substances of Helmer soil. The rate of decomposition of these substances corresponded with actinomycete numbers. The addition of organic residues caused a drop in oxidation-reduction potentials which increased later with a decrease in pH and organic matter. The prevailing microflora established in each of these soils chiefly through the nature of the plant residues annually supplied have strongly influenced the dominant inherent, soil characteristics.

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