SOME ECOLOGICAL AND PHYSIOLOGICAL-STUDIES ON BACTERIA ISOLATED FROM SALT-AFFECTED SOILS OF EGYPT

Members of Bacillaceae, Rhizobiaceae, actinomycetes and others were isolated from cultivated and non-cultivated saline soils. The high population of bacteria and actinomycetes were almost coincided with the relatively high levels of organic matter whatever the degree of soil salinity. Bacillus stearothermophilus and B. subtilis were more frequently isolated than other Bacillus species. Most of Rhizobium isolates were salt tolerant being able to grow in media containing 3% and 6% NaCl. The abilities of different bacterial isolates to attack citrus pectin, soluble and insoluble forms of cellulose were also tested.