SUCCESSIONAL CHANGES IN THE ACTINOMYCETE COMPLEX OF PEATY SOIL

Dynamics of the population density of representatives of four genera o f the order Actinomycetales-Streptomyces, Saccharomonospora, Micromono spora, and Streprosporangium-were studied during succession induced by the humidification of two soil samples to different levels of soil mo isture pressure. Based on the data on the dynamics of actinomycete pop ulations during the succession, the following characters were revealed , making it possible to estimate the extent of cultivation and moistur e content of peaty soils: (1) changes in the abundance and diversity o f representatives of the four actinomycete genera revealed in the peat y soils in the course of succession induced by humidification and (2) the predominance of particular actinomycete genera at certain stages o f succession initiated by humidification. The basic differentiating ec ological characteristics (moisture content, successional period, the a bundance index) of the four actinomycete genera were determined. It wa s established that, in the soil, actinomycete populations passed throu gh the vegetative stage and formed new spores in a short period of tim e. A mathematical model was developed that indicates the extent of cul tivation and the moisture content of lowland peaty soils by proceeding from data on successional changes in the actinomycete complex.