This review deals with techniques and methods used in the study of the function and development of microorganisms occurring in soil with emphasis on the contributions of Czech Academician Ivan Málek and his coworkers or fellows (Jiří Macura, František Kunc) to the development of basic techniques used in soil microbiology. Early studies, including batch cultivation and respirometric techniques, as well as later developments of percolation and continuous-flow methods of cultivation of soil microorganisms are discussed. Recent developments in the application of analytical chemistry (HPLC or GC) and of molecular biological techniques to ecological questions that have revolutionized concepts in soil microbiology and microbial ecology are also briefly mentioned, including denaturing gradient gel electrophoresis (DGGE), temperature gradient gel electrophoresis (TGGE), phospholipid fatty acid analysis (PLFA) and others. The shift of soil microbiology from the study of individual microorganisms to entire microbial communities, including nonculturable species, is briefly discussed.

• MeSH
• Bacteria genetics   growth & development   metabolism   MeSH
• Bacteriological Techniques instrumentation   methods   MeSH
• Biomarkers MeSH
• Fermentation MeSH
• Soil analysis   MeSH
• Soil Microbiology * MeSH
• Publication type
• Journal Article MeSH
• Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't MeSH
• Review MeSH
• Names of Substances
• Biomarkers MeSH
• Soil MeSH

It was found in long-term incubation experiments (100 weeks) that in soil non amended with organic compounds, mineralization proceeded in a steady state after an initial reactive respiration and corresponded approximately to the rate of mineralization of soil organic matter under natural conditions. The addition of nitrogen influenced this mineralization process only very slightly. The addition of starch decreased the stability of organic compounds in the soil at first but the newly formed organic substances were gradually stabilized again. The addition of nitrogen to starch increased the extent and the rate of these alterations. The overall extent of mineralization of the substrate after the addition of starch alone exceeds the amount of the added substrate; a small accumulation of the substrate could be observed after the addition of starch together with nitrogen.

• MeSH
• Biotransformation MeSH
• Depression, Chemical MeSH
• Stimulation, Chemical MeSH
• Nitrogen metabolism   pharmacology   MeSH
• Fertilizers MeSH
• Soil Microbiology * MeSH
• Starch pharmacology   MeSH
• Carbon metabolism   MeSH
• Publication type
• Journal Article MeSH
• Comparative Study MeSH
• Names of Substances
• Nitrogen MeSH
• Fertilizers MeSH
• Starch MeSH
• Carbon MeSH

• MeSH
• Culture Media MeSH
• Microbiology * MeSH
• Publication type
• Journal Article MeSH
• Review MeSH
• Names of Substances
• Culture Media MeSH

• Keywords
• AMMONIUM COMPOUNDS *, CHEMISTRY *, EXPERIMENTAL LAB STUDY *, METABOLISM *, NITRATES *, NITRITES *, NITROBACTER *, NITROGEN *, NITROSOMONAS *, SOIL *, SOIL MICROBIOLOGY *, SULFATES *,
• MeSH
• Ammonium Compounds * MeSH
• Chemical Phenomena * MeSH
• Chemistry * MeSH
• Nitrates * MeSH
• Nitrogen * MeSH
• Nitrites * MeSH
• Quaternary Ammonium Compounds * MeSH
• Metabolism * MeSH
• Nitrification * MeSH
• Nitrobacter * MeSH
• Nitrosomonas * MeSH
• Soil * MeSH
• Soil Microbiology * MeSH
• Sulfates * MeSH
• Research * MeSH
• Publication type
• Journal Article MeSH
• Names of Substances
• Ammonium Compounds * MeSH
• Nitrates * MeSH
• Nitrogen * MeSH
• Nitrites * MeSH
• Quaternary Ammonium Compounds * MeSH
• Soil * MeSH
• Sulfates * MeSH

• Keywords
• AMINO ACID METABOLISM *, AMMONIUM COMPOUNDS *, CARBON DIOXIDE *, CHEMISTRY *, EXPERIMENTAL LAB STUDY *, GLYCINE *, METABOLISM *, NITRATES *, NITRITES *, NITROGEN *, SOIL *, SOIL MICROBIOLOGY *,
• MeSH
• Amino Acids metabolism   MeSH
• Ammonium Compounds * MeSH
• Chemical Phenomena * MeSH
• Chemistry * MeSH
• Nitrates * MeSH
• Nitrogen * MeSH
• Nitrites * MeSH
• Fabaceae * MeSH
• Glycine * MeSH
• Quaternary Ammonium Compounds * MeSH
• Metabolism * MeSH
• Carbon Dioxide * MeSH
• Soil * MeSH
• Soil Microbiology * MeSH
• Research * MeSH
• Publication type
• Journal Article MeSH
• Names of Substances
• Amino Acids MeSH
• Ammonium Compounds * MeSH
• Nitrates * MeSH
• Nitrogen * MeSH
• Nitrites * MeSH
• Glycine * MeSH
• Quaternary Ammonium Compounds * MeSH
• Carbon Dioxide * MeSH
• Soil * MeSH