Asian Journal of Microbiology, Biotechnology & Environmental Sciences Paper


Vol 1 Issue 3-4, 1999

Page Number: 143-147

ASSESSMENT OF BENEFICIAL MICROBIAL POPULATION IN CASUARINA EQUISETIFOLIA PLANTATION

K. RAJENDRAN„ V. SLIGAANAM AND P. DEVARAJ

Abstract

Rhizosphere soil samples were collected from the Casuarina growing major areas of three agroclimatic zones of Tamil Nadu Viz., Pudukkottai (site I), Marakkanam (site II), and Coimbatore (site III). The populaion of Azospirillum, Phosphobacterium, Actinomycetes, VAM fungi and Frankia nodulation were studied. The physio-chemical properties of these soils were analysed. In the rhizosphere of all the three sites, Glomus is found to be dominant genus. The percentage of mycorrhizal infection was 66.3, 76.0 and 70.1% of site-1, 2 and 3 respectively. The VAM spore population was the highest in site 3 followed by site-2 and site-1. Maximum nodulation was observed in sandy clay loam soil (site-3) Coimbatore. Minimum nodulation was noticed in sandy loam soil (site-2). The population of Azospirillum, Phosphobacterium, Actinomycetes were maximum in sandy clay soil loam (Site-3).