Mapping of Microbial Diversity of Gautala Reserve Forest in Aurangabad (District) (M.S.), India

Abstract

Microorganisms help in the fertility and endurance of soil. Additionally supporting the growth of several biological systems, soil and soil microorganisms fill in as the best mode for plant growth. Soil microbes are essential for recycling old plant material and decaying organic matter. In the upkeep of the Environment microbial diversity plays a dominant role. The current paper is focused on the seasonal variations in the microbial count, which are increased or decreased (Impact on counts) in the Gautala reserve forest. In the present study, soil samples from Gautala Reserve Forest were collected from 15 different sites during the rainy, winter, and summer seasons. The present study was attempted to cover the microbial diversity of the whole Gautala forest through covering maximum sampling spots. The average total microbial count (TMC) in the rainy season for plate 1 and plate 2 was 36.73 and 35.46 respectively and the final count was 36.4 × 106. The average TMC in the winter season for plate 1 and plate 2 was 32.4 and 31.93 respectively and the final count was 32.46 × 105. The average TMC in the summer season for plate 1 and plate 2 was 37.13 and 36.4 and the final count was 37.6 × 104. The bacterial colony at sampling points 1, 4, and 7 exhibits presence of Gram-Negative Bacteria; whereas the rest of the sampling spots showed presence of Gram - Positive Bacteria. There were three types of Gram-negative and 12 were found to be Gram-positive bacteria with three genera i.e. Pseudomonas spp., Bacillus spp., and micrococcus spp. This paper discusses seasonal fluctuations in microbial counts and associated laboratory culture techniques and statistical analysis methods.