Soil Nitrogen Complexes

Biochemical Ecology of Soil Microorganisms

“…Thus, the large numbers of Streptomyces in environments receiving no recent organic materials may result, in part, from the ability of most of these actinomycetes to metabolize chitin, a constituent of the mycelium of a great array o( soil fungi (29), although the durability of the streptomycete conidia may likewise be a significant factor in the abundance of representatives of the genus. The finding in humus of bound N-acetylglucosamine (27) is also indicative of a microbial biosynthesis of substrates for other organisms.…”

“…The complexity of the substrates for the secondary population is also evident from investigations of the soil nitrogen complexes. In one study, for example, chemical hydrolysis of the organic fraction revealed about 50 ninhydrin-react ing constituents, half of which were identified as specific amino acids or amino sugars (27).…”

Electrophoresis

“…Other plant substances that have been investigated are allergens from castor beans (1281,1555,2109) and from rye grass pollen (1030), corn enzymes (159), phytohemagglutinins from jackbeans (1601) and lilies (1749), amino acids (168, 1585), pigments from beets (1783) and cactus fruit (602,603), xyIans f rom grains (558), polysaccharides from soybeans (1548), saponin from tea (877), lignin sulfonates (116, 2451), 14C-labeled photosynthesis products from algae (1884), hyoscyamine and scopolamine (1130) and solasonine and solamargine (1924) from nightshade, poisons from Amanita ( 286), products from herbaceous vines ( 1427), a uridylic acid-like substance from flowers (2244), chloroplastin ( 1422), chlorophyll derivatives (1014), plant organelles (549,821,864), and heavy metals in plant material (1062). Biochemical substances (1365), humic compounds (556), and nitrogenous material (2357) have been isolated from soil. Humic acids are found in soft coal (1187).…”