ABSTRACT
In this study, the bacterial community in flooded rice soils of both alluvial and acid sulfate and their biochemical
/metabolic activities were measured. Higher number of aerobic heterotrophic bacterial population was observed in
alluvial soil than acid sulfate. The soil extract agar medium supported the maximum total aerobic heterotrophic
bacteria and maximum anaerobic oligotrophic bacteria populations observed in roots of rice plants. Higher carbon
dioxide accumulation and reduction in methane contents were measured in full strength nutrient medium, amended
with higher/ lower levels of microbial biomasses. The maximum microbial biomass was observed moisture soil.
Among the electron acceptors, except K SO , stimulated the soil microbial biomass and altered urease activity in
2 4
both alluvial and acid sulfate soils.
Key words: Flooded Rice soils, Bacterial population, Biochemical, Metabolic activities