Microbial Population in Guyana Soils

Microorganisms are fundamentally important in the soil habitat. They key roles in the ecosystem by controlling nutrient cycling reactions essential for maintaining soil fertility. Microbes are also active in nitrogen transformation during the cold winter season. Soil structure depends on the association between mineral partials (sand, slit, and clay) and organic matter. Although the chemistry of organic matter, total microbial biomass, and different enzymes activities in different soil size fractions have been well studied, little information is available on the structure of microbial population in microhabitats. All natural soils contain vast populations of microscopic plants and animals present in a state of dynamic equilibrium and changing balances. It has been estimated that within the top one to three feet of soil as much as 17000 pounds fungi and 40 pounds bacterial exist per acre. All soil microorganisms compete with each other for food and space. Any changes in environmental conditions such as food supply, temperature, moisture, oxygen supply etc., can result in changes which cause one or many types of soil microbes to become temporarily dominant over the others. The majority of fungi and bacteria present in soils are considered to be beneficial to higher plants. Mineral soil represents a complex of inert and living organisms. By maintaining good organic matter content in mineral soils an increased population's level of beneficial soil microorganism can be maintained. These non-pathogenic fungi and bacteria help promote well developed healthy root systems, by releasing essential elements and suppressing disease causing microorganisms. Preliminary work in this study has been done, pertaining to screening of soil microorganism such as bacteria, fungi and actinomycetes from soil in Guyana within Berbice. Additionally, calculations were done on the number of colonies of bacteria, fungi and actinomycetes in different soils.