Soil properties that impact yeast and actinomycete numbers in sandy low nutrient soils.
To explore the beneficial qualities or detrimental consequences of cultureable soil yeasts, it is important to understand which physicochemical soil properties most impact populations of these unicellular fungi in their natural habitat. The goal of this study was to determine which soil properties dictate yeast numbers in pristine sandy, low nutrient soils within a semi-arid region. A correlation matrix of the data obtained for 19 different environmental variables indicated a negative correlation between soil pH and yeast numbers. Using general regression models, it was demonstrated that soil pH and copper concentration were the 2 variables that correlated best with soil yeast counts in these soils. However, soil moisture content was found to be the environmental factor with the most impact on cultureable actinomycetes and heterotrophic microbes. The study also demonstrated that divalent cation availability might impact the size of both yeast and prokaryote populations in these soils.
Department of Microbiology, University of Stellenbosch, Private Bag X1, Stellenbosch, Matieland 7602, South Africa.
Jo-Marie
JM
Vreulink
Annerina
A
Esterhuyse
Karin
K
Jacobs
Alfred
A
Botha
D039903:Actinobacteria / Q000302:isolation & purification*; D002413:Cations, Divalent / Q000032:analysis; D005308:Fertilizers / Q000032:analysis; D006863:Hydrogen-Ion Concentration; D012044:Regression Analysis; D012987:Soil / Q000032:analysis*; D012988:Soil Microbiology; D015003:Yeasts / Q000302:isolation & purification*
D002413:Cations, Divalent; D005308:Fertilizers; D012987:Soil