RESPIRATION OF SOIL STERILIZED BY IONIZING RADIATIONS

Electron- and x-ray-sterilized soil respires at a rate approaching that of nonsterile soil. Mercuric chloride decreases respiration of sterile soil, whereas incubating nonsterile soil with glucose for 48 hours prior to sterilizing with x rays increases subsequent respiration. Respiration of dead microbial cells may explain, in part, the poor correlation between plate counts and soil respiration. (auth)