MICROBES AND NITRATES IN SOILS FROM VIRGIN AND YOUNG-GROWTH FORESTS

Abstract

Penicillium spp. predominated in samples of forest soils except occasionally at depths of more than three inches, when Mucor and Aspergillus spp. sometimes were more abundant. Incubation for 30 days at 28 °C and 50 per cent water-holding capacity frequently increased the percentage of Mucor spp. as well as Penicillium spp. Mucor spp. were consistently more prominent in soils associated with alder than for other coastal soils. Mucor and Aspergillus spp. also appeared often in soil from stands of ponderosa pine growing east of the Cascades.The greatest concentration of nitrogen as NO3− in unincubated soils was found in a young red alder stand. Samples of soil from stands of virgin coastal redwood showed no nitrate nitrogen. Soils from stands of virgin Sitka spruce, however, showed considerable nitrate content, which increased markedly with incubation.With few exceptions, bacteria and actinomycetes were most numerous in F layers of soil. Incubation greatly increased these populations in most soils.