SOIL MICROBIOLOGY · Soil Microbiology is the scientific discipline that is concerned with the study of all biological aspects of the microorganisms (bacteria, archaea, viruses, fungi, parasites and protozoa) that exist in the soil environment. · Soil Microbiology is a sub-discipline of Environmental Microbiology. · Soil microorganisms can be classified as Bacteria, Actinobacteria, Fungi, Algae and Protozoa. · Sergei N. Winogradsky is considered as the 'Father of Soil Microbiology'. MAJOR GROUPS OF SOIL MICROORGANISMS · Major group of microorganisms which live in soil are ü Bacteria ü Actinobacteria ü Fungi ü Algae ü Bacteriophages ü Protozoa ü Nematodes · Basically, Soil microorganisms are classified as 1) Autotrophs · Autotrophs are any organisms that are capable of producing their own food. This is achieved by using light energy from sun, water and carbon-di-oxide. Example – Alga