Studies on the rhizosphere microflora of Citrus trees: III. Fungal and actinomycete flora of the rhizosphere

Abstract

The fungal and actinomycete floras of the rhizospheres of growing and non-growing roots of three species of Citrus were compared with those of soil. There were 4 to 8 times more fungi in the rhizosphere than in soil. Relatively they were more numerous in the rhizosphere of non-growing roots than in the growing roots. In general, aspergilli and penicillia were more numerous in the rhizospheres of both growing and non-growing roots than in soil. Mucor and Rhizopus were less abundant in the rhizosphere of both growing and non-growing roots than in soil. The actinomycetes were classified into morphological, physiological, and antagonistic groups. There was no preferential stimulation of any taxonomic group in the rhizosphere but the antagonistic forms were more abundant in the rhizosphere than in soil.