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Scanning Electron Microscopy of Rhizobium spp. Adhering to Fine Silt Particles
Author(s) -
Fehrmann R. C.,
Weaver R. W.
Publication year - 1978
Publication title -
soil science society of america journal
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.836
H-Index - 168
eISSN - 1435-0661
pISSN - 0361-5995
DOI - 10.2136/sssaj1978.03615995004200020014x
Subject(s) - polysaccharide , silt , electron microscope , bacteria , particle (ecology) , scanning electron microscope , rhizobium , electron micrographs , chemistry , chemical engineering , biology , materials science , biochemistry , optics , composite material , ecology , physics , paleontology , genetics , engineering
Bacterial polysaccharides binding to soil particles were observed with the scanning electron microscope. The bacteria were grown in shake culture with dispersed silt particles (2–5 µm) to promote polysaccharide‐soil particle interactions. Species of Rhizobium were used because of their abundant polysaccharide production. The mucilagenous polysaccharides exhibited connective networks that joined particles to one another and also to bacteria. Aggregates of particles were seen only when bacterial polysaccharides were present. These micrographs provide visual evidence of the binding action of bacterial polysaccharides to soil particles.