Amino acids in root exudates of cotton

Summary Cotton-field soils from a wilt-free zone (KPT) and from a wilt-sick zone (PLD), and root exudates of diploid and amphidiploid cotton strains grown in KPT and PLD soils were analyzed for 13 free amino acids employing microbiological assay techniques. Test organisms used wereLactobacillus arabinosus 17/5 andLeuconostoc mesenteroides P. 60.Arginine, proline, lysine, serine, glycine, cystine, and tyrosine occurred in both the soils; amounts of these were higher in PLD soil than in KPT soil.Seven to eleven amino acids were found in the root exudates of cotton. Aspartic acid, threonine (in one), phenylalanine and leucine were found in root exudates but not in the control soils. Diploid strains were found to exude greater amounts of amino acids than the amphidiploid strains. Comparing the effect of the two soils tested, it was found that amino acids in exudates of plants grown in PLD soil were higher except in the case of one diploid strain.In the inoculated series, amino acids in the exudates were markedly lower than the respective healthy controls in the diploid strains. In the exudates of amphidiploid strains also, amino acid contents were reduced but to a lesser extent.Significance of occurrence of cystine in the exudates of some strains is indicated.Part of Doctoral thesis, University of Madras.     

B-Vitamins in root exudates of cotton

Summary Cotton field soils fromFusarium wilt-free zone (KPT) and a wilt-sick zone (PLD), and root exudates of diploid and amphidiploid strains of cotton grown in these two soils were analyzed for B-vitamins by microbiological assay technique employing X-ray mutants ofNeurospora crassa andN. sitophila.PLD soil was found to contain choline, pyridoxine,p-aminobenzoic acid, traces of biotin, and inositol. KPT soil was found to contain pyridoxine, choline, thiamine,p-aminobenzoic acid, and traces of biotin and inositol.Thiamine, biotin, pyridoxine, andp-aminobenzoic acid were found in higher amounts in the exudates of diploid cotton strains, especially K 2 and 6186.9 in KPT soil. In addition to the above, choline was also found in the exudates of diploid strains grown in PLD soil.Amphidiploid strains showed comparatively lower amounts of these vitamins in the root exudates with a few exceptions.In the inoculated series, inositol was absent in most cases and the contents of other vitamins were reduced to varying extents compared to the respective healthy controls.Part of Doctoral thesis, University of Madras.     

Relationship between the number of bacteria added to soil or seeds and their abundance and distribution in the rhizosphere of alfalfa

A study was conducted of the relationship between the density of several bacterial strains introduced into soil or onto seeds and their abundance in the rhizosphere of alfalfa. The abundance of six species in the rhizosphere was directly correlated with the density of bacteria initially added to soil. The density of six species in the rhizosphere of 15-day-old plants also was directly correlated with the density of each strain in nonrhizosphere soil. Tests of seven species added to soil at four inoculum densities showed that bacteria that survived well in the soil attained the highest densities in the rhizosphere and those that survived poorly in the soil were present at the lowest densities in the rhizosphere. Sixteen of 19 bacterial strains added to alfalfa seeds at 10⁷ or 10⁸ cells per g colonized the rhizosphere of 15-day-old plants, but nearly all of the cells were localized in the upper third of the rhizosphere. A study of 12 bacterial strains that failed to colonize the lower part of the rhizosphere if inoculated onto seeds showed that the bacteria colonized the entire rhizosphere of 15-day-old alfalfa plants if initially inoculated throughout the soil. The data suggest that the density of individual bacterial strains in the rhizosphere is dependent on their density in the soil and that seed inoculation only has an effect on the population in the proximal portion of the alfalfa root system.     

The effect of inoculation with Azospirillum brasilense on growth and nitrogen utilization by wheat plants

Azospirillium brasilense is a rhizosphere bacteria that has been reported to improve yield when inoculated on wheat plants. However, the mechanisms through which this effect is induced is still unclear. In the present work, we have studied the effects of inoculating a highly efficient A. brasilense strain on wheat plant grown in 5 kg pots with soil in a greenhouse, under three N regimes (0, 3 or 16 mM NO₃ ^–, 50 ml/pot once or twice-a -week), and in disinfected or non-disinfected soil. At the booting stage, the inoculated roots in both soils showed a similar colonization by Azospirillum sp. that was not affected by N addition. The plants grown in the disinfected soil showed a higher biomass, N content and N concentration than those in the non-disinfected soil, and in both soils the inoculation stimulated plant growth, N accumulation, and N and NO₃ ^– concentration in the tissues.At maturity, the inoculated plants showed a higher biomass, grain yield and N content than the uninoculated ones in both soils, and a higher grain protein concentration than the uninoculated. It is concluded that in the present experiments, A. brasilenseincreased plant growth by stimulating nitrogen uptake by the roots.     

Presence and oxidation of amino acids in rhizosphere and non-rhizosphere soil

Manometric studies were carried out on the respiratory activity of different rhizosphere and non-rhizosphere soils to follow quantitatively the over-all microbial activity in the rhizosphere soil as affected by the species and growth phase of plant. Oxygen consumption was distinctly greater in rhizosphere soils as compared to that in non-rhizosphere soils. The difference between oxygen consumption by rhizosphere and non-rhizosphere soils changed with the course of plant growth and it was not the same in different plants. This difference in oxygen consumption might be a measure of the amount of available oxidizable substrate in the rhizosphere. A rhizosphere sample had greater diversity as well as higher concentration of free amino acids than a non-rhizosphere sample of the same soil. Bacterial counts pointed to preferential stimulation in the rhizosphere of bacteria requiring individual amino acids. amino acids, such as glycine, alanine, asparsic acid of tyrosine were oxidized more rapidly in rhizosphere than in non-rhizosphere soil, but the extsent of oxidation for each of the amino acids studied did not differ. The amount of oxygen consumed during oxidation of alanine, aspartic acid or tyrosine was about one-half of the total amount necessary for complete oxidation. With glycine a higher extent of oxidation (60%) was observed. These extents of oxidation of glycine and aspartic acid did not change on investigation at two different phases of plant growth.     

Survival of genetically modified Pseudomonas fluorescens introduced into subtropical soil microcosms

Abstract A genetically modified strain of Pseudomonas fluorescens and its parent showed grossly similar decline rates following introduction into subtropical clay and sandy soils. In unplanted clay soit at pH 6.9 and 25°C, population densities declined progressively from about 10⁸ to 10³ colony forming units (cfu) g⁻¹ dry soil over 75 days, but in unplanted sandy soil the introduced populations could not be detected after 25 days. In clay soil at pH 8.7 or 4.7, or at environmental temperature, decay rates were enhanced as compared to those at pH 6.9 and 25°C. Counts of introduced strains in clay bulk soil and in rhizosphere and rhizoplane of maize suggested that the introduced bacteria competed well with the native bacteria, and colonized the roots at about 10⁶ cfu g⁻¹ dry root at 25°C, over 20 days. However, rhizoplane colonization was lower at environmental temperature. The decay rate of both strains was slower in planted than in unplanted sandy soil. The population densities in the rhizosphere and rhizoplane in the sandy soil were significantly lower than those in the clay soil. Both introduced strains colonized the maize roots in both soils, using seeds coated with bacteria in 1% carboxymethyl cellulose. Introduced cells were localized at different sites along the roots of plants developing in clay soil, with higher densities in the original (near the seeds) and root hair zones as compared to the intermediate zones. No significant difference was observed between the extent of root colonization of the genetically modified strain and its parent.     

Influence of the zinc hyperaccumulator Thlaspi caerulescens J. & C. Presl. and the nonmetal accumulator Trifolium pratense L. on soil microbial populations

Metal hyperaccumulator plants like Thlaspi caerulescens J. & C. Presl. are used for phytoremediation of contaminated soils. Since little is known about the rhizosphere of hyperaccumulators, the influence of T. caerulescens was compared with the effects of Trifolium pratense L. on soil microbes. High- and low-metal soils were collected near a zinc smelter in Palmerton, Penn. Soil pH was adjusted to 5.8 and 6.8 by the addition of Ca(OH)2. Liming increased bacterial populations and decreased metal toxicity to levels allowing growth of both plants. The effects of the plants on total (culturable) bacteria, total fungi, as well as cadmium- and zinc-resistant populations were assessed in nonrhizosphere and rhizosphere soil. Both plants increased microbial populations in rhizosphere soil compared with nonrhizosphere soil. Microbial populations were higher in soils planted with T. pratense, but higher ratios of metal-resistant bacteria were found in the presence of T. caerulescens. We hypothesize that T. caerutescens acidifies its rhizosphere. Soil acidification in the rhizosphere of T. caerulescens would affect metal uptake by increasing available metals around the roots and consequently, increase the selection for metal-resistant bacteria. Soil acidification may be part of the hyperaccumulation process enhancing metal uptake from soil.     

Biosafety and colonization of Burkholderia multivorans WS-FJ9 and its growth-promoting effects on poplars

Burkholderia cepacia complex (Bcc) is a group of bacteria with conflicting biological characteristics, which make them simultaneously beneficial and harmful to humans. They have been exploited for biocontrol, bioremediation, and plant growth promotion. However, their capacity as opportunistic bacteria that infect humans restricts their biotechnological applications. Therefore, the risks of using these bacteria should be assessed. In this study, Burkholderia multivorans WS-FJ9 originally isolated from pine rhizosphere, which was shown to be efficient in solubilizing phosphate, was evaluated with respect to its biosafety, colonization in poplar rhizosphere, and growth-promoting effects on poplar seedlings. Pathogenicity of B. multivorans WS-FJ9 on plants was determined experimentally using onion and tobacco as model plants. Onion bulb inoculated with B. multivorans WS-FJ9 showed slight hypersensitive responses around the inoculation points, but effects were not detectable based on the inner color and odor of the onion. Tobacco leaves inoculated with B. multivorans WS-FJ9 exhibited slightly water-soaked spots around the inoculation points, which did not expand or develop into lesions even with repeated incubation. Pathogenicity of the strain in alfalfa, which has been suggested as an alternative Bcc model for mice, was not detectable. Results from gene-specific polymerase chain reactions showed that the tested B. multivorans WS-FJ9 strain did not possess the BCESM and cblA virulence genes. Scanning electron microscopy revealed that the colonization of the WS-FJ9 strain reached 1.4?×?10⁴ colony forming units (cfu)?g^?1 rhizosphere soil on day 77 post-inoculation. The B. multivorans WS-FJ9 strain could colonize the rhizosphere as well as the root tissues and cells of poplars. Greenhouse evaluations in both sterilized and non-sterilized soils indicated that B. multivorans WS-FJ9 significantly promoted growth in height, root collar diameter, and plant biomass of inoculated poplar seedlings compared with controls. Phosphorus contents of roots and stems of treated seedlings were 0.57 and 0.55 mg g^?1 higher than those of the controls, respectively. Phosphorus content was lower in the rhizosphere soils by an average of 1.03 mg g^?1 compared with controls. The results demonstrated that B. multivorans WS-FJ9 is a nonpathogenic strain that could colonize the roots and significantly promote the growth of poplar seedlings.     

Interactions between Azotobacter and "phosphobacteria" and their establishment in the rhizosphere as affected by soil fertility.

The effects on plant growth of "bacterial fertilizers" prepared from Azotobacter spp. and phosphate-solubilizing bacteria ("phosphobacteria") have been the subject of much controversy. Cases where no plant-growth stimulation occurred may often be accounted for by the failure to establish the bacterial inocula in the rhizosphere. Three factors that may influence inocula establishment, i.e. soil fertility, manuring, and interactions between Azotobacter and "phosphobacteria," were examined in pot experiments, designed for statistical analysis, in two neutral-alkaline soils, using lavender plants (Lavandula spica L.). During the experiments the numbers of Azotobacter and "phosphobacteria" were counted. Dry weights of roots and shoots were recorded after 16 weeks of growth. At the end of the experiments there were always more Azotobacter and "phosphobacteria" in the rhizospheres when plants were inoculated with both groups of organisms together than when they were inoculated singly. Addition of 2% farmyard manure to the richer soil enhanced this effect. Plant growth was greatest when seedlings were inoculated with both Azotobacter and the "phosphobacteria".     

Potential of Siderophore Production by Bacteria Isolated from Heavy Metal: Polluted and Rhizosphere Soils

Recently, heavy metals have been shown to have a stimulating effect on siderophore biosynthesis in various bacteria. In addition, several studies have found that siderophore production is greater in bacteria isolated from soil near plant roots. The aim of this study was to compare the production of siderophores by bacterial strains isolated from heavy metal-contaminated and uncontaminated soils. Chrome azurol sulphonate was used to detect siderophore secretion by several bacterial strains isolated from heavy metal-contaminated and rhizosphere-uncontaminated soils with both a qualitative disc diffusion method and a quantitative ultraviolet spectrophotometric method. Siderophore production by rhizosphere bacteria was significantly greater than by bacteria isolated from contaminated soil. The Pearson’s correlation test indicated a positive correlation between the amount of siderophore produced by bacteria isolated from the rhizosphere using the quantitative and qualitative detection methods and the amount of heavy metal in the soil. However, a significant negative correlation was observed between the amount of siderophore produced by bacteria isolated from heavy metal-contaminated soil and the amount of heavy metal (r value of ?0.775, P < 0.001).     

The effect of microorganisms and sorption on the protease activity of plant roots

The protease activity of sterile roots of wheat was zero or very low, so that the determined values did not exceed limits of the experimental error. Roots colonized by microorganisms had a significant protease activity. The activity of protease on seeds and roots of the plants growing in a medium inoculated with the soil microflora was higher than in cases when only the epiphytic microflora of seeds served as a source of microorganisms. Sterile roots inoculated with three different strains of bacteria isolated from the rhizosphere and producing protease exhibited a considerable protease activity. The protease activity of non-sterile roots of plants growing in the dark was higher than that of plants growing under normal illumination. Crystalline proteinase was adsorbed on sterile roots and the activity of the enzyme was decreased in this adsorbed state. The adsorption of the enzyme was only slightly higher in the presence of calcium ions. Treatment of roots with a sodum chloride solution, with dextran and ethanol increased the adsorption of the proteinase by roots.     

不同生育期转Bt基因棉种植对根际土壤微生物的影响

 在盆栽种植条件下,比较研究了两个转Bt基因棉(Gossypium hirsutum)与对照棉对根际土壤细菌、放线菌、真菌和主要功能类群及多样性的影 响差异。结果表明：两个转Bt基因棉根际土壤均可检测到Bt蛋白,且不同转Bt基因棉根系分泌Bt蛋白量以及Bt蛋白在根际土壤中的降解率不同 。与各自对照相比,转Bt基因棉对细菌和真菌生长繁殖有促进作用,对放线菌、好气固氮菌和钾细菌数量没有显著影响。苗期和花期转Bt基因 棉均可显著提高氨化细菌、显著降低无机溶磷菌数量,花期均可显著提高好气纤维分解菌、显著降低有机溶磷菌数量,‘Bt冀668’苗期也可显 著提高好气纤维分解菌数量。转Bt基因棉根际土壤好气纤维分解菌、有机和无机溶磷菌多度发生了变化。尽管功能类群总数转Bt基因棉高于各 自对照常规棉,但群落多样性和均匀度都有所下降,优势集中性表现明显,且花期转Bt基因棉多样性参数值以及功能类群数量的变化幅度大于 苗期。     

Alterations in plant growth and in root hormone levels of lodgepole pines inoculated with rhizobacteria.

The presence of other soil microorganisms might influence the ability of rhizobacterial inoculants to promote plant growth either by reducing contact between the inoculant and the plant root or by interfering with the mechanism(s) involved in rhizobacterially mediated growth promotion. We conducted the following experiments to determine whether reductions in the extent of growth promotion of lodgepole pine mediated by Paenibacillus polymyxa occur in the presence of a forest soil isolate (Pseudomonas fluorescens M20) and whether changes in plant growth promotion mediated by P. polymyxa (i) are related to changes in P. polymyxa density in the rhizosphere or (ii) result from alterations in root hormone levels. The extent of plant growth, P. polymyxa rhizosphere density, and root hormone concentrations were determined for lodgepole pine treated with (i) a single growth-promoting rhizobacterial strain (P. polymyxa L6 or Pw-2) or (ii) a combination of bacteria: strain L6 + strain M20 or strain Pw-2 + strain M20. There was no difference in the growth of pines inoculated with strain L6 and those inoculated with strain L6 + strain M20. However, seedlings inoculated with strain Pw-2 had more lateral roots and greater root mass at 12 weeks after inoculation than plants inoculated with strain Pw-2 + strain M20. The extent of growth promotion mediated by P. polymyxa L6 and Pw-2 in each treatment was not correlated to the average population density of each strain in the rhizosphere. Bacterial species-specific effects were observed in root hormone levels: indole-3-acetic acid concentration was elevated in roots inoculated with P. polymyxa L6 or Pw-2, while dihydrozeatin riboside concentration was elevated in roots inoculated with P. fluorescens M20.     

Populations of Aerobic Bacteria Associated with the Roots of Apple and Cherry Plants

S ummary . The incidence of bacteria on the surface of apple and cherry roots was compared over a period of 20 months with those in rhizosphere and root-free soils. Seasonal variation in total and in Gram negative bacterial populations in soils and on roots was essentially similar. The highest numbers occurred between November and March and the lowest in September. Little general stimulation of bacteria near roots was detected and, on occasion, negative values were recorded for rhizosphere effect. The results indicated that edaphic factors rather than root activity had the major influence on population levels. Fluorescent pseudomonads were low in number and this suggests either that fruit tree roots were unable to support large numbers of these bacteria or that colonization from the soil populations was irregular. However, in contrast to other bacteria, there was a marked stimulatory effect on fluorescent pseudomonads, particularly in apple rhizo-spheres where a maximum rhizosphere/soil ratio of 131 was recorded.     

健康与凋萎病杨梅树体及根围菌群的差异

凋萎病是制约杨梅产业发展的严重病害。为了有效防控凋萎病,本研究分析了杨梅健康和感染凋萎病树体各部位及根表土和根围土中细菌和真菌群落的丰富度与多样性的差异。结果表明: 与健康树相比,病树根围土、根表土、根、枝干、枝皮和叶片的细菌和真菌丰富度均发生了显著变化,其中,根表土细菌和枝皮内真菌的丰富度和多样性均显著降低,而枝皮内细菌和根表土的真菌丰富度和多样性均显著升高。病树各部位及根表、根围土细菌和真菌的优势菌相对丰度在门、纲和属水平上发生了明显的变化,在病树枝干、根和根表土中的假单胞菌属及根表土、根围土中的镰刀菌属的相对丰度明显降低,病树根表土及根围土中青霉菌属的相对丰度明显增加。与凋萎病菌同属的拟盘多毛孢菌在病树根内显著减少,而在其他位置均大量增殖,其相对丰度与多数相对丰度较高的真菌呈正相关。本研究结果将为开发杨梅凋萎病的生态改良、培育健康树体和生物防治技术提供有效的理论依据。     

Influence of Soil Type,Cultivar and Verticillium dahliae on the Structure of the Root and Rhizosphere Soil Fungal Microbiome of Strawberry

Sustainable management of crop productivity and health necessitates improved understanding of the ways in which rhizosphere microbial populations interact with each other, with plant roots and their abiotic environment. In this study we examined the effects of different soils and cultivars, and the presence of a soil-borne fungal pathogen, Verticillium dahliae, on the fungal microbiome of the rhizosphere soil and roots of strawberry plants, using high-throughput pyrosequencing. Fungal communities of the roots of two cultivars, Honeoye and Florence, were statistically distinct from those in the rhizosphere soil of the same plants, with little overlap. Roots of plants growing in two contrasting field soils had high relative abundance of Leptodontidium sp. C2 BESC 319 g whereas rhizosphere soil was characterised by high relative abundance of Trichosporon dulcitum or Cryptococcus terreus, depending upon the soil type. Differences between different cultivars were not as clear. Inoculation with the pathogen V. dahliae had a significant influence on community structure, generally decreasing the number of rhizosphere soil- and root-inhabiting fungi. Leptodontidium sp. C2 BESC 319 g was the dominant fungus responding positively to inoculation with V. dahliae. The results suggest that 1) plant roots select microorganisms from the wider rhizosphere pool, 2) that both rhizosphere soil and root inhabiting fungal communities are influenced by V. dahliae and 3) that soil type has a stronger influence on both of these communities than cultivar.     

Studies on the rhizosphere microflora of yellow birch seedlings

Summary The rhizosphere microflora of yellow birch seedlings grown in a forest soil in tanks in the greenhouse has been investigated. In general it was found that the rhizosphere effect of yellow birch roots in the A horizon was lower than that observed with cropped plants; nevertheless a stimulation of microbial development was obtained. Of the micro-organisms studied, bacteria, and ammonifying and methylene-blue-reducing organisms appeared to be predominant types in the root zone. Counts were, on the whole, lowest when plants broke dormancy and began to increase in the later periods of growth. There was no appreciable difference between control and rhizosphere soils in regard to incidence of specific nutritional types of bacteria. Analysis of the rhizosphere population of roots growing in the B horizon showed a distinctly greater rhizosphere effect than that obtained in the A horizon. The data suggest that the rhizosphere effect in the latter was obscured because of its high organic-matter content and its abundant and active microflora.Contribution No. 481     

Active attachment ofAzospirillum brasilense to root surface of non-cereal plants and to sand particles

The rhizosphere bacteriumAzospirillum brasilense Cd adsorbed strongly to light-textured and heavy-textured soils, but only slightly to quartz sand. Bacterial attachment to sand particles was mediated by a network made up of various sizes and shapes of fibrillar material. Inoculation of sand with an aggregate-deficient mutant resulted in no detectable fibrillar formation. Rinsing or agitating the sand, colonized by the wild-type and the mutant, had a greater effect on the mutant than on the parental strain. We propose that bacterial fibrils are essential for anchoring ofA. brasilense to sand. A. brasilense Cd was capable of efficiently colonizing the elongation and root-hair zones of tomato, pepper, cotton and soybean plants as well as of wheat plants. All inoculated plants demonstrated: (i) larger amounts of a mucigel-like substance on the root surface than non-inoculated plants, and (ii) fibrillar material which anchored the bacterial cells to the root surface. These fibrils established also connections between cells within bacterial aggregates. On non-water stressed soybean roots, mostA. brasilense Cd cells occurred as vibroid forms. Whereas, those on roots of water-stressed plants.(wilting) were cyst-like. A lower rhizosphere bacterial population was observed on water-stressed plants. When water stress conditions were eliminated, cells reverted to the vibroid form. A concomitant increase in the bacterial population was observed. We suggest that cyst-like formation is a natural response forA. brasilense Cd in the rhizosphere of water-stressed plants.     

麦棉套作棉花根际非根际土壤微生物和土壤养分

在麦棉套作栽培模式下,设置不隔根、纱网隔根和塑膜隔根3种麦棉套种方式,研究麦棉套作对棉花根际和非根际土壤微生物数量、活性和土壤养分（全氮、有效磷和速效钾）含量的影响,结果表明：麦棉套作有利于棉花根际与非根际土壤细菌的增殖,盛蕾期不隔根处理棉花根际土壤与非根际土壤细菌数量分别是塑膜隔根处理的2.57和2.81倍.但麦棉套作不利于土壤真菌和放线菌的增殖.细菌在土壤微生物区系中占99.9%.所以,麦棉套作显著提高了棉花土壤微生物数量,同时也增强了微生物活性.麦棉共处期纱网隔根处理棉花土壤全氮、有效磷、速效钾含量显著高于不隔根处理和塑膜隔根处理,证明麦棉套作系统中小麦根系分泌物与脱落物的存在对棉花土壤养分含量的增加有明显的促进作用,即存在种间营养补偿效应.而共处期不隔根处理套作棉土壤养分含量总体上显著低于隔根处理的现象则反映出小麦根系对棉花土壤养分的竞争作用大于其对棉花土壤养分的促进作用.小麦收获后,小麦根系对棉花养分的竞争作用解除,不隔根处理棉花土壤养分含量显著高于塑膜隔根和纱网隔根处理.     

Soil aggregation status and rhizobacteria in the mycorrhizosphere

Soil aggregation is a dynamic process in which plants and the soil microbiota play a major role. This experiment was conducted to determine whether the effects of mycorrhizae on the stability of water-stable soil aggregates (WSA) and on selected groups of soil microorganisms are interrelated. Soil containers consisting of four compartments were utilized. Two compartments on each side of a solid barrier were separated by a 43 m screen that permitted the passage of hyphae, but not of roots. The roots of Sorghum bicolor plants were split over the center barrier, and the roots on one side were inoculated with an arbuscular-mycorrhizal (AM) fungus. This design produced mycorrhizosphere soils (M) by AM roots or hyphosphere (H) soils by AM hyphae in the two compartments on the one side of the barrier, and rhizosphere soils (R) by nonAM roots or root- and hypha-free bulk soil (S) in the two compartments on the other side. At harvest (10 wk), there were significant differences in WSA between soils in the order: M>R>H>S, and WSA stability was significantly correlated with root or hyphal length. Numbers of colony-forming units of the microflora (total bacteria, actinomycetes, anaerobes, P solubilizers, and nonAM fungi) were in general not correlated with root or hyphal length, but in some cases were significantly correlated with WSA. Bacteria isolated from the water-stable soil-aggregate fraction tended to be more numerous than from the unstable fraction. The difference was significant in the M soil for total bacteria and P solubilizing bacteria. NonAM fungi were more numerous in the unstable fraction of the M soil. The data show that the root and fungal components of mycorrhizae enhance WSA stability individually and additively in concert, and suggest that they affect microorganism numbers indirectly by providing a favorable and protective habitat through the creation of habitable pore space in the WSA.