I found this great primer this AM. Very readable...
http://assets.cambridge.org/052162/1119/excerpt/0521621119_excerpt.pdf
"Microscopic examination of soil reveals vast numbers of bacteria are
present. Typically there are about 108 to 109 per gram dry weight of soil.
Only
a tiny fraction of these can be cultivated upon laboratory culture media.
Scientists have yet to provide appropriate culture conditions for the vast
majority of soil microbes. Many live in complex communities in which
individuals
cross-feed one another in a manner that cannot be replicated when the
microbes are placed in arti.cial culture. The microbial activity of soil is
severely underestimated using arti.cial culture. An estimate of the
microbial
activity of soil is further in.uenced by the fact that many soil bacteria
and
fungi are present as dormant spores. These may germinate when brought into
contact with a rich arti.cial growth medium."
Tom Jaszewski
tom_at_livesoil.com
702-595-7012
"People who say it cannot be done,
should not interrupt those who are doing it".
George Bernard Shaw (1856-1950)
Received on Thu Dec 23 2004 - 18:37:27 EST