IMMUNOFLUORESCENCE DETECTION OF THE EFFECTS OF WHEAT AND SOYBEAN ROOTS ON NITROBACTER IN SOIL

Abstract

Strain specific fluorescent antibodies were used to enumerate two serotypes of Nitrobacter winogradskyi in the rhizosphere and rhizoplane of wheat and soybeans treated with 100 ppm nitrogen. Serotype “agilis” predominated over serotype “Winogradsky” at all times in the soil studied. No significant inhibition or stimulation of Nitrobacter multiplication occurred during the six week growth period, but rhizosphere to rhizoplane shifts occurred. Ammonia nitrogen stimulated early multiplication of Nitrobacter, but the effect was short-lived; soybean meal maintained a greater Nitrobacter population throughout.