Application of actinomycetes to soil to ameliorate water repellency.
OBJECTIVE
The aim of this study was to develop a novel isolation technique using a mixture of Bacillus and Streptomyces phages to selectively isolate wax-utilizing non-streptomycete actinomycetes effective in ameliorating water repellency in a problem soil.


RESULTS
Phages added to a soil suspension reduced the dominance of Bacillus and Streptomyces isolates and significantly increased the number of non-streptomycete actinomycetes on isolation plates. Promising isolates, grown on a medium containing beeswax as sole carbon source, were selected for application to water repellent soil. Their addition significantly reduced water repellency.


CONCLUSIONS
Phage application significantly increased the isolation of non-streptomycete actinomycetes. Wax-utilizing isolates were found to significantly reduce water repellency in a problem soil.


CONCLUSIONS
The phage technique can be used for the routine isolation of non-streptomycete actinomycetes. Beeswax medium can be used to selectively isolate wax-utilizing micro-organisms with the potential to ameliorate water repellency in soil.
McKenna
F
F
Microgene, Mahogany Creek, W.A., Australia. frank@microgene.com.au
El-Tarabily
K A
KA
Petrie
S
S
Chen
C
C
Dell
B
B
D039903:Actinobacteria / Q000302:isolation & purification / Q000378:metabolism / Q000821:virology; D000362:Agar / Q000737:chemistry; D001407:Bacillus / Q000145:classification / Q000254:growth & development / Q000821:virology; D002244:Carbon / Q000172:deficiency; D004463:Ecology; D012987:Soil; D012988:Soil Microbiology; D013302:Streptomyces / Q000145:classification / Q000254:growth & development / Q000821:virology; D014867:Water; D014885:Waxes / Q000737:chemistry
D012987:Soil; D014885:Waxes; D014867:Water; C038228:beeswax; D002244:Carbon; D000362:Agar