Definition of the physiological condition of bacteria in soil by means of luminescent dye L7012

By means of dye L7012, the number and physiological condition (damage rate of membranes) of bacterial cells is defined. The results testify to considerable physiological heterogeneity of bacteria cells in soils. In fresh samples of soil, the percentage of intact cells reached 60–70%. Damaged membranes occurred in 30–40% of cells. The number of damaged cells dramatically increased downwards through the soil profile. Drying and freezing of soil samples considerably reduced the quantity of intact cells and increased the percentage of cells with damaged membranes; the number of intact cells was 10–20%. Treatment with biocide agents resulted in lysis of the majority of cells and cells injuries. However, some of the cells kept an intact cellular membrane, which testifies to the high stability of bacteria in soil. These data allow us to offer a method of staining a soil suspension with the use of luminescent dye L7012 with the quality of an express method that gives the chance to monitor the number and physiological condition of the bacterial complex of soils.