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.