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Appl Environ Microbiol. 1969 December; 18(6): 1065-1071
Copyright © 1969 American Society for Microbiology. All Rights Reserved.

Observation of Microorganisms in Soil and Other Natural Habitats¹

^a Department of Microbiology, The Pennsylvania State University, University Park, Pennsylvania 16802

ABSTRACT

A procedure is described for visually observing and following the activities and interactions of bacteria, actinomyctes, fungi, protozoa, nematodes, and plant roots in masses of soil. Specific microscope components and objectives are used, and the numerical apertures are adjusted such that light diffraction colors are produced to allow differentiation of the various biological entities and their habitat materials. Strains or other alterations in the organisms and their habitat are not employed, and time-lapse photography can be used to follow the activities of soil microorganisms and plant roots. As a result of the use of this technique, it is apparent that in situ indigenous soil microorganisms differ from similar organisms grown in the laboratory, but that, under the proper conditions, the state of the organism in either habitat can be altered to match that which occurs in the contrasting habitat.

¹ This research was authorized for publication as paper no.3583 in the journal series of the Pennsylvania Agricultural Experiment Station on 9 April 1969.