CHAPTER ONE INTRODUCTION 1.1     BACKGROUND OF THE STUDY

Farmland refers to lands used for agricultural purpose. Agricultural soil is an excellent source for unknown microorganisms, since bacteria, algae, protozoan’s, yeasts, molds, and microscopic worms are routinely found in this environment (Whiteley and Bailey, 2000).

Okwale community, is one of the communities in Nyor-Khana region, of Khana Local Government Area of Rivers State and also one of the leading communities whose inhabitants specializes in agricultural activities, especially in the cultivation of cassava in the region.

Agricultural soil in a dynamic medium in which  a large number of pathogenic and non-pathogenic bacterial and fungal floral live in close association (Luis-Henerique et al., 2010).

Environmental factors such as the amount and type of nutrients available moisture, degree of aeration, pH, temperature etc. determines the numbers and kinds of microorganisms present in soil (Fulthorpe et al., 2007).

Increased numbers of microorganism in compost also have an indirect role in improving plant health. Microorganism form symbiotic associations with plant roots and synthesize and excrete nutrients (amino acids, vitamins), plant growth hormones and chelators, alter physical conditions to optimize plant growth, and decompose or neutralize toxic substances (Bossio et al., 2009).

Most plants depend on soil, but plants and their associated microorganisms also play a crucial role in the formation or modification of soil and microorganism present in the  rhizosphere play important roles in the growth and in the ecological fitness of their plant host (Fulthorpe et al., 2007).

Soil microorganisms are an important link in soil-plant- herbicide-fauna-man relationships. They take part in herbicide degradation, their activity, number and diversity may serve as bio-indicators of changes in soil biological activity following herbicide application and, finally, some microbial species may be used as bio-herbicides (Akpor et al., 2006).

Microorganisms may also negatively affect each other through competition for nutrients, oxygen or space, or by excreting inhibitory metabolic products (Lucas, 2005).

The problems caused by the increased application of chemicals such as herbicides and uncontrolled use of synthetic fertilizers on agricultural soils call for multidisciplinary approach.

Incorrect and indiscriminate application of herbicides affects negatively the health of humans, plants and animals. Particularly hazardous, are the poorly degradable herbicides (triazins) whose persistence may lead to long-term accumulation (Moser and Stahl, 2001).

Microorganisms play an important role in natural biodegradation processes in which plant lignocellulosic materials are efficiently degraded by cellulolytic fungi, bacteria, actinomycetes and even protozoa (Khan and Joergensen, 2009).

According to Bhattacharyya and Jha (2011), most commonly studied cellulolytic organism include fungal species such as; Trichocierma, Humicola, Penicillium, Aspergillus; Bacteria-Bacilli, Pseudomonas, Cellulomonas ; and Actinomycetes-Streptornyces and Actinomucor.

1.3     AIMS AND OBJECTIVES OF THE STUDY 1.3.1 AIM OF THE STUDY

The aim of this research is to evaluate the species of microorganism present in sample of soil using a farmland land in Okwale community Khana Local Government Area of Rivers State, as a case study.

1.3.2 OBJECTIVES OF THE STUDY

The objectives of this research include;

1. Evaluate the presence of microorganism in sple of soil obtained from a farmland in Okwale community Khana Local Government Area
2. To isolate the microorganisms present in the collection sample of soil from a farmland in Okwale community Khana Local Government Area

iii.      To identify the various microorganisms observed in the collected sample soil from a farmland in Okwale community Khana Local Government Area.

1. To relate the presence of the observed microorganism to the health and fertility of the collected sample of soil from Okwale community, Khana Local Government Area.
2. To make suggestion on the proper use of the analyzed soil sample on the basis of the presence of the observed microorganisms.

1.4     SCOPE OF THE STUDY

The research is limited to the microbial evaluation of microorganism present in agricultural soil, using a farmland land in Okwale community, Khana Local Government Area of Rivers State, as a case study.

1.5     SIGNIFICANCE OF THE STUDY

This research will provide the following benefits;

1. It will provide a general idea of the microbial composition of agricultural soil.
2. It will provide an understanding of the relationship microorganisms and soil fertility.

iii.      It will help in the understanding the role of microorganism in the maintenance of agricultural soil health.

1. It will help in understanding the various effects of human activities on the existence of these microorganisms.
2. It will from the established understanding encourage the proper use of agricultural lands to safeguard soil microbes and assure soil fertility.

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