BIODIVERSITY OF MICROORGANISMS IN SEMI-ARID SOILS OF NORTH SINAI DESERTS

Authors: OTHMAN A.; SHAWKY M.; AMER W.; FAYEZ M.; MONIB M.; HEGAZI N.

Source: Archives of Agronomy and Soil Science, Volume 49, Number 3, June 2003 , pp. 241-260(20)

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Abstract:

North Sinai environment is currently subjected to changes due to the major agricultural development project of El-Salam canal which brings Nile water to the arid deserts of Sinai. Therefore, intensive efforts are made to record biodiversity of natural microflora and diazotrophs associated to the plant - soil system of the major agricultural development areas around the canal. Fourteen soil profiles were made, during the seasons 1997 - 2000, representing major sites of the area investigated (South Qantara, Rabaa-Bir El-Abd and El-Ser and Al-Quarir). Physico-chemical and microbiological properties of soils tested are presented. Microbiological profiling included total population of Gram positive and Gram negative bacteria, sporeformers, thermophiles, diazotrophs and spore-forming diazotrophs. Results obtained are discussed to relate physico-chemical properties to soil biofertility in an effort to categorize general fertility levels of soils under investigation.

Keywords: North Sinai; arid deserts; diazotrophs; El-Salam canal; biodiversity

Document Type: Research article

DOI: 10.1080/0365034031000112083