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List some useful effects of bacteria.
Soil bacteria are important to us because they cause decomposition of the organic matter.Some bacteria maintain the soil fertility and others enhance it. The fertility of the soil is proportional to the nitrogen content. Yet excepting certain bacteria, no living organism can fix nitrogen although nearly four fifths (80%) of the atmosphere contain nitrogen. This work is done by ammonifying, nitrifying and nitrogen fixing bacteria.

Ammonifying bacteria break amino acids that constitute proteins. Nitrifying bacteria bring it to nitrate form which can be assimilated by the plants from the soil.

Nitrogen fixing bacteria like Azotobacter, Clostridium live free in the soil and fix atmospheric nitrogen. Rhizobium like bacteria live symbiotically with root systems of leguminous plants and fix from the atmosphere nitrogen.Souring and curdling of milk is done by lactic acid bacteria (Lactobacillus).
Oxidation of alcohol to vinegar (acetic acid) is done by certain bacteria. The curing of tea, tobacco and indigo are other economically beneficial effect of bacteria. The processes of tanning hides in leather industry, manufacture of sponges also involve use of bacteria.

The production of jute and linen is done by bacterial activity. The retting bacteria loosen the fibers when the plants are submerged in water and thereby help extraction of fibers which are used for making clothes, ropes etc.

The cocoa beans are white colored and quite bitter in taste. The bacteria digest the bitter coverings of the seeds and give it the characteristic color, flavor and aroma.

Saprophytic bacteria. The decomposition of carbohydrates is caused by bacteria even in the absence of oxygen. The process is called fermentation. Also, decomposition of proteinaceous materials is done by bacteria by the process of putrefaction. The amino acids thus, liberated, are utilized by the plant world as nutrient.


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