Author(s)

Lidia Sas Paszt, Paweł Trzciński, Małgorzata Bakalarska, Ryszard Hołownicki, Paweł Konopacki, Waldemar Treder

Research Institute of Horticulture, Skierniewice, Poland.

The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of heated soil on the population of bacteria, fungi and nematodes inhabiting the soil of tomato cultivar “Tamaris” growing in peat and coconut substrates. In addition, these media were tested in two different containers: cylinders and slabs. The total number of bacteria and fungi was significantly higher in the peat substrate than in the coconut substrate. A much higher number of beneficial bacteria producing spores were noted in the coconut soil. The total number of bacteria and fungi was modified by the heating levels. In all the experimental treatments, most of the identified individuals belonged to the group of nematodes that feed on bacteria and it was the most diverse group of species. The highest total number of nematodes was recorded for the second heating level, with the exception of cultivation carried out in peat slabs, where the most of nematodes were found at the control level. The highest first crop was produced by plants growing on the peat slabs supplied with the highest soil temperature. Tomato roots of all the control treatments showed the highest root morphological parameters.

Heated Soil; Root Morphology; Tomato; Peat; Coconut Fibre; Cylinder; Slab; Bacteria; Fungi; Nematodes

Paszt, L. , Trzciński, P. , Bakalarska, M. , Hołownicki, R. , Konopacki, P. and Treder, W. (2014) The Influence of Heated Soil in Crop of “Tamaris” Tomato Plants on the Biological Activity of the Rhizosphere Soil. Advances in Microbiology, 4, 191-201. doi: 10.4236/aim.2014.44025.