Skip to main content

Thank you for visiting nature.com. You are using a browser version with limited support for CSS. To obtain the best experience, we recommend you use a more up to date browser (or turn off compatibility mode in Internet Explorer). In the meantime, to ensure continued support, we are displaying the site without styles and JavaScript.

  • Letter
  • Published:

Implications of ethylene production by bacteria for biological balance of soil

Nature volume 252, pages 703–705 (1974)Cite this article

Abstract

ETHYLENE in soil causes fungistasis1, affects the growth of bacteria, actinomycetes and nematodes (unpublished data) and consequently must influence many soil biological processes. Mucor hiemalis has been proposed as a major producer of ethylene in soil2 although earlier work suggested that facultative anaerobes may be involved3. Our studies show clearly that the main production of ethylene in soil is by spore-forming bacteria in anaerobic microsites. These bacteria seem to be an integral part of a self-regulating cycle in soil controlling microbial activity and with far-reaching implications for the biological balance of soil.

This is a preview of subscription content, access via your institution

Access options

Buy this article

  • Purchase on Springer Link
  • Instant access to full article PDF
Buy now

Prices may be subject to local taxes which are calculated during checkout

Similar content being viewed by others

References

  1. Smith, A. M., Nature, 246, 311–313 (1973).

    Article  ADS  CAS  Google Scholar 

  2. Lynch, J. M., and Harper, S. M. T., J. gen. Microbiol., 80, 187–195 (1974).

    Article  Google Scholar 

  3. Smith, K. A., and Restall, S. W. F., J. Soil Sci., 22, 430–443 (1971).

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  4. Baker, K. F., in Root Diseases and Soil-Borne Pathogens (edit. by Toussoun, T. A., Bega, R. V., and Nelson, P. E.), 234 (University of California Press, California, 1970).

    Google Scholar 

  5. Funke, B. R., and Harris, J. O., Plant and Soil, 28, 38–48 (1968).

    Google Scholar 

  6. Baker, K. F., and Cook, R. J., Biological Control of Plant Pathogens, 177 (W. H. Freeman, San Francisco, 1974).

    Google Scholar 

  7. Bell, R. G., Soil Biol. Biochem., 1, 105–116 (1969).

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  8. Ponnamperuma, F. N., Adv. Agron., 24, 29–96 (1972).

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  9. Griffin, D. M., Ecology of Soil Fungi, 117 (Chapman and Hall, London, 1972).

    Google Scholar 

  10. Likens, G. E., Bormann, F. H., Johnson, N. M., Fisher, D. W., and Pierce, R. S., Ecol. Monogr., 40, 23–47 (1970).

    Article  Google Scholar 

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Biological and Chemical Research Institute, PMB 10, Rydalmere, NSW, 2116, Australia

    A. M. SMITH

  2. Agricultural Research Service, US Department of Agriculture, Pullman, Washington

    R. JAMES COOK

Authors
  1. A. M. SMITH
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  2. R. JAMES COOK
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Cite this article

SMITH, A., COOK, R. Implications of ethylene production by bacteria for biological balance of soil. Nature 252, 703–705 (1974). https://doi.org/10.1038/252703b0

Download citation

  • Received:

  • Accepted:

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1038/252703b0

This article is cited by

Comments

By submitting a comment you agree to abide by our Terms and Community Guidelines. If you find something abusive or that does not comply with our terms or guidelines please flag it as inappropriate.

Search

Advanced search

Quick links

Nature Briefing

Sign up for the Nature Briefing newsletter — what matters in science, free to your inbox daily.

Get the most important science stories of the day, free in your inbox. Sign up for Nature Briefing