Seasonal changes in microbial community structure and nutrients content in rhizospheric soil of Aegle marmelos tree

Abstract

A preliminary investigation was carried out on dominance of different types of microbial communities at different monsoon seasons in rhizospheric soils of Aegle marmelos tree. Nutrients content of soil were also determined simultaneously to correlate with the microbial population. Results show that the rhizosphere of Aegle marmelos contains gram-negative bacteria, Rhizobium, Azotobacter, Actinomycetes and Yeast and major plant nutrients and their count as well as dominance changes with moisture content in rhizosphere. Except actinomycetes all the microorganisms were found highest during monsoon season whereas in post-monsoon season Actinomycetes were dominant. Amount of water in rhizosphere soil also affects soil chemical properties. Soil pH, organic carbon, C:N ratio, available nitrogen and available phosphorus were recorded maximum in monsoon whereas electrical conductivity and total nitrogen content were found maximum in post-monsoon.

Keywords

• microbial diversity, microbial count, nutrients content, aegle marmelos