MECHANISMS OF BACILLUS MUCILAGINOSUS DECOMPOSING SOIL MINERALS

The role and mechansims of Bacillus mucilaginosus in extracting K~(+) and SiO_(2) from silicate soil were studied. It was found that B. mucilaginosus can dissolve soil minerals and release K~(+) and SiO_(2) from crystal lattices of the minerals. At the same time the results also showed that there is a correlation between the capability of the bacterium of dissolving minerals and its capsular polysaccharides and the complexing action of small molecular organic acids.