Effect of salinity on microbial population and its characterizations in paddy soil / Siti Nuraishah Jaffri, Nurmaizatul Idayu Othman and Nurul Wahida Ramli

Soil and its health is very critical especially in agriculture sector. Major problems occurred in Malaysia is saline soil as it disturbs the natural processes and microbes activities. Purpose of the study is to observe the microbial population and their characteristics with presence of salts, sodium chloride (NaCl). Few methods been used to collect the data which are serial dilutions, spread plate method, CFU calculations, microscope observation, and Gram-staining. bacteria do favor saline-free soil environment. This proved through most number of populations with percentage 66.32% lives in non-saline soil while balance of 36.68% lives in saline soil. Shapes characterizations also shows similar results with 55% were found in non-saline soil and remaining of 45% in salts control soils. As for colors, 48% in clear, 38% in milky, 4% in orange, 3% in red and 7% in yellowish color. 70% of bacteria are Gram-positive while another 30% are Gram-negative. These can be solved through irrigations and proper management in field.