MICROFLORA OF THE WALLS OF GALLERIES FORMED BY THE EARTHWORM LUMBRICUS-TERRESTRIS

The composition and density of the microbial community inhabiting the walls of Lumbricus terrestris earthworm galleries (drillosphere) in so ddy-podzolic soil under a linden grove were studied by direct examinat ion under a luminescence microscope. Within 2 mm of the gallery, the l ength of fungal mycelium and the portion of germinating hyphae were mu ch lower than in the surrounding soil. In contrast, the density of bac teria was 3-4.5 times higher in the drillosphere than in intact soil. The influence of earthworm galleries extended over a 5- to 10-mm zone of the surrounding soil.