Aggregation of sand from a maritime embryo sand dune by microorganisms and higher plants

Abstract

The effects of the interactions between higher plants and microorganisms and the addition of selected microorganisms on aggregation of sand from an embryo dune were examined. Addition of microorganisms to sand increased both plant growth and the amount of aggregation. Roots alone had little effect on aggregation but in association with microorganisms there was a noticeable increase. The number of microorganisms isolated from aggregates in four different treatments varied each month over the course of the experiment. Aggregates from a treatment receiving Penicillium spores were colonized by the greatest number of microorganisms, and the least colonized aggregates were from a treatment where the sand was initially sterile.