No abstract

A scheme has been devised to facilitate the identification of aerobic heterotrophic soil bacteria to generic level using Skerman's key. Tests used in the scheme have been modified from those originally described to allow use, where possible, of multipoint inoculation techniques. Modified tests have been compared with those originally described and in all cases the use of modified tests was justified. Although there was no saving in length of time needed to identify any one isolate there was considerable saving in the number of manipulations required and more isolates could be handled in the time.