Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jul 15, 2026

Compost Microcosms as Microbially Diverse, Natural-like Environments for Microbiome Research in Caenorhabditis elegans
Published on: September 13, 2022
[Effects of Caenorhabditis elegans on Bacillus subtilis number and activity and soil nitrogen mineralization under
Xiao-fang Mao1, Feng Hu, Xiao-yun Chen
1College of Resources and Environmental Sciences, Nanjing Agricultural University, Nanjing 210095, China. mmxf1008@yahoo.com.cn
Abstract:
The study with gnotobiotic microcosm showed within the range of test soil moisture contents, the feeding activity of Caenorhabditis elegans on Bacillus subtilis promoted the latter' s proliferation, and enhanced soil respiration significantly. The increment of B. subtilis number varied with soil moisture content, and decreased in the order of 23% > 17% > 28% . The interaction of C. elegans and B. subtilis increased the contents of soil mineral N and NH4 + -N significantly, indicating that soil nitrogen mineralization was markedly promoted. A higher nitrogen mineralization rate was observed under 23% soil moisture content.
Related Concept Videos
The Roles of Bacteria and Fungi in Plant Nutrition
Soil Microbial Ecology

