Microbial cenosis in the initial stage of spruce needle decomposition

: The formation of saprophytic microbial cenosis at the primary stage of decomposition of spruce needles was studied by the method of scanning electron microscopy with parallel inoculations into growth media. The composition of the cenosis was found to differ depending on whether the needles were decomposed on the surface of the forest floor or on the soil without any flooring. The characteristics of the formation of the saprophytic microbial cenosis are described. The cenosis is formed from individual species of the soil microbial complex and from some representatives of the epiphytic microbial cenosis which change here becoming saprophytes instead of biotrophs. Yeasts and yeast-like organisms predominate at the primary stage of decomposition of spruce needles.