Major Groups of Soil Microorganisms

Major Groups of Soil Microorganisms

Major Groups of Soil Microorganisms
Soil contains five major groups of microorganisms. Bacteria, fungi, actinomycetes, algae, protozoa and viruses form a small portion of soil microflora. Basically, the soil organisms are classified as

Autotrophs (utilise the inorganic minerals)	Heterotrophs (utilise the organic matter)
Main producers photoautotrophs chemoautotrophs	Consumers & Decomposers photoautotrophs chemoautotrophs

The factors that influence microbial distribution may be intrinsic or extrinsic.

Intrinsic factors arise from the structure and function of the microbes themselves, through their persistence in the soil (as spores), their size, motility, structural features (stalk, holdfast, filaments) and biochemical capacities. Extrinsic factors are those arising from soil and the environment like pH, temperature, water, redox potential, radiation, etc.

Home | Site map | Submit Article | Directory | Search