Abstract
Microorganisms are of primary importance for soil quality and natural productivity. Four land use systems viz., Forestry, Horticulture, Agriculture and Pasture at four different locations viz., Bajoga, Gombe, Boderi and Kanawa were identified in determining population of microorganisms in the soil. The samples were collected, numbered and labelled with date and site of collection in an air-tight pre-sterilized polyethene bags before transportation to the laboratory. Serial dilution pour plate technique was used for estimation of total bacterial, fungal, actnomycetes and azotobacter using specific media. The plates were incubated at temperatures specific to particular microbe for 2 – 3 days. The colonies that developed on media were counted by electronic colony counter. The microbial counts were expressed as colony forming unit per gram of soil (CFU/g soil). The highest bacterial count (CFU/g) was found in forest land use with the mean value (192.66) and the lowest (41.33) was found in agricultural land use system. The highest total fungal count (CFU/g) was recorded in forest land use with the mean value (77.33) and the lowest (10.33) was found in agricultural land use system. The highest total viable actinomycetes count (CFU/g) was recorded in forest land use with the mean value (62) and the lowest (3) was found in agricultural land use system as compared to other soils in the study area. The perusal of data reveals that for the total azotobacter count (CFU/g), the highest was recorded in forest soils because of the presence of more organic matter with mean value (22.66) as compared with the other land use systems. The lowest was found in agriculture (4.33). Lowest microbial count in agricultural soils may result to poor soil quality and natural productivity which may lead to famine a natural disaster. Planting of cover crops will improve soil structure, enhance soil fertility and sustain or increase soil organic matter and soil biological activity.
Highlights
Soil is a natural body consisting of various horizons of mineral constituents, each with different proportions and has some distinctive features
The highest bacterial count (CFU/g) was found in forest land use followed by pasture land use system with the mean value (192.66) and (166.66) respectively, horticulture (90) while the lowest (41.33) was found in agricultural land use system
The number of soil bacteria in the cultivated land was lower than that in the other land use systems; this may result to poor soil quality and natural productivity which may lead to famine
Summary
Soil is a natural body consisting of various horizons of mineral constituents, each with different proportions and has some distinctive features. Soil includes soil organic matter, water and air. Soil bacteria and fungi play a vital role in different biogeochemical cycles and are in charge of the cycling of natural mixes [1]. Soil is the most abundant ecosystem on Earth, but the vast majority of organisms in soil are microbes, a great many of which have not been described [2]. Microorganisms, including bacteria and fungi, affect chemical exchanges between roots and soil and act as a reserve of nutrients in a soil biological hotspot called rhizosphere. Diverse microbial community are supported by soil that plays an important role in ecosystem level processes such as, decomposition of organic matter and nutrient cycling [5]
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