PROTOZOA

Protozoa are a major part of the living soil.

Protozoa are single-celled animals that feed on bacteria, other protozoa, organic matter, and sometimes fungi.

They are several times larger than bacteria.

The numbers of protozoa in the soil vary – from a 1,000 per teaspoon in unfertile soils to a 1,000,000 per teaspoon in some fertile soils.

Protozoa are divided into three groups based on their shape:

1. Ciliates

Are the largest of the protozoa and are mobile by means of hair-like cilia.

They eat the other two types of protozoa, also bacteria.

They eat up to 10,000 bacteria per day, and make nitrogen available to plants.

Ciliates are least numerous of the 3 groups.

Ciliates move rapidly through soil using the cilias like boat oars.

2. Amoebae

They can be large and they move by means of a pseudopod.

Amoebae are divided into testate amoebae and naked amoebae.

One group of amoebae, like vampires, eat fungi and root pathogens.

3. Flagellates

They are the smallest of the protozoa and use whip-like flagella to propel or pull its way through soil.

Functions of Protozoa

1. Protozoa help mineralize nutrients, which make them available for use by plants and other soil organisms.

2. Protozoa regulate bacteria populations as they graze on bacteria and it seems to stimulate growth of that bacterial population.
3. Protozoa is a food source for other soil organisms.

4. They help to suppress disease by feeding on pathogens.

5. Protozoa release excess nitrogen as they eat bacteria that will then be used by plants and other members of the food web.

Where can you find Protozoa?

1. Protozoa need water in which to move and that plays a big role in determining which types of protozoa will be present.

2. Protozoa are particularly active next to roots.

3. Fungal-infested soils, like forests, lean to have more testate amoebae and ciliates.

4. In bacterial-infested soils, flagellates and naked amoebae dominate.

5. High clay soils contain a higher number of flagellates and naked amoebae.

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