[Growth and survival of Azospirillum in roots and maize rhizospheres with different levels of acidity].

An experiment was carried out in order to evaluate the effect of pH on Azospirillum sp. growth and survival in maize rhizosphere. Sterilized maize seeds were sown in a perlite substratum with addition of a nutritive medium. The pots were buffered at two different pHs: 5.8 (group one) and 7.0 (group two). Each group was divided in two treatments: inoculated with Azospirillum sp. Az-39 and non-inoculated. Experimental pots were incubated at 20 degrees C with a 14 hour photoperiod. Growth of non-inoculated roots was negligible. Inoculated roots showed a better response at pH 5.8 than at 7.0. Several accompanying bacteria were found. Azospirillum grew in both groups with a low penetration into roots. A set of nutritive relationships among microorganisms and maize roots was observed; Xanthomonas is a maize pathogenic bacteria, and it is a NO3- consumer, and uses this anion as hydrogen acceptor. The Gram (-) Diplococcus is a nitrate producer . Cytophaga and Flavobacterium are related with roots decomposition. It is concluded that Azospirillum improves the root growth, mainly at pH 5.8.