Nitrification and seasonal changes in bacterial populations in the rhizosphere ofSuaeda andArthrocnemum species growing in saline soils

Summary The nitrification rate in the rhizosphere of Suaeda and Arthrocnemum plants growing in saline soils, as affected by microbial populations, temperature, pH, and organic matter, was examined in the field throughout the year. The genera Nitrosomonas and Nitrobacter were most common in the rhizosphere soil. The bacterial counts in the rhizosphere of both plants fluctuated during the study period, reaching peak values during February–March and in August. The nitrate concentration in the rhizosphere soil could be related with the observed increase in the numbers of ammonium-oxidizers and nitrite-oxidizers in the latter part of the study period. The pH of the rhizosphere soils did not have any influence on the nitrification rate at the values measured. The rhizosphere organic content varied between 1.8 and 4% (w/w), showing the continuous availability of organic matter in the soil. The seasonal changes in bacterial populations in the rhizospheres of both plants was described as the result of the combination of several factors.