Bacterial enumeration, diversity and characterization of Goainghat and Balaganj soils of Bangladesh

Bacterial communities in soil are important in decomposition of organic matter, nutrient cycling and maintaining soil fertility. In the present study isolation, enumeration and morphological characterization of bacteria population in agricultural soils of Balagonj and Goainghat series, Sylhet division of Bangladesh was highlighted. Total viable counts obtained were 6.4×10⁶CFU/g soil in Balagonj and 6.0×10⁶CFU/g soil in Goainghat respectively. The number of effective bacterial diversity present in Balagonj was 7 colonies and 5 colonies were isolated from Goainghat. Colonies were found to be variable in size, shape, margin, elevation and color (circular, irregular, rhizoid; white, pink and yellow). In case of both Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacterial isolates, rod or cocci in shape arrange singly or chains were identified. Morphological Forms and their types: Spore formation, capsule formation, acid fast and Non-acid Fast Type. Both soils support a variety of bacterial communities which link to their fertility and nutrient cycling and are markers of their ecological significance in sustainable soil management.