Summary
The hypothesis that inoculation withAzotobacter chroococcum affects the growth of plants indirectly through changing the rhizosphere microflora was investigated. Inoculated and uninoculated wheat and tomato plants were grown in the glasshouse in two different soils, and total bacteria, chitinolytic bacteria, actinomycetes, glucosefermenting bacteria, aerobic cellulose-decomposing bacteria, and anaerobes were determined in intervals in the rhizosphere and in the soil. Root-surface fungi were studied using the Harley and Waid's root-washing technique10. Azotobacter became established in the rhizosphere of wheat and tomato plants and stimulated their growth. All the bacterial groups examined were more abundant in the rhizosphere than in the soil. Inoculation with Azotobacter delayed the colonization of roots by bacteria, actinomycetes, and fungi in the rhizosphere, but had no effect on other organisms. Inoculation did not affect the dominant root-surface fungi, and minor changes were not consistent.
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Part of a thesis accepted by the University of London for the degree of Ph.D. in Microbiology.
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Patel, J.J. Micro-organisms in the rhizosphere of plants inoculated withAzotobacter chroococcum . Plant Soil 31, 209–223 (1969). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF01373566
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF01373566