Methylotrophic bacteria in relation to soil and plant health

Abstract

Methylotrophs are a diverse group of microorganisms that can use reduced onecarbon compounds, such as methanol or methane, as the carbon source for their growth; and multi-carbon compounds that contain no carbon bonds, such as dimethyl ether and dimethylamine. Utilization of various types of organic compounds present in the coal mine spoil as carbon substrate is the the reason for better survival of facultative methylotrophic bacteria in stressful and nutrient poor coal mine spoils. Methylotrophic bacteria significantly modify the physicochemical properties of degraded soil. The nutrients released from death and decay of methylotrophic bacteria facilitate growth of heterotrophic bacteria and increases microbial diversity of the degraded land. This chapter gives brief description of methylotrophic bacteria and their role in improvement of soil and plant health have given special attension. © 2015 by Nova Science Publishers, Inc. All rights reserved.