The Brazilian Caatinga Biome and Its Biotechnological Potential | Chapter 11 | Advances in Applied Science and Technology Vol. 5
The Caatinga biome is a unique Brazilian biome predominant in the Northeast of Brazil and situated in the Semiarid Region. The rhizosphere comprises the narrow zone of soil that is directly influenced by the roots of plants and associated soil microorganisms. It is a dynamic environment with maximum microbial activity due to the presence of root exudates and radicular secretions representing the major carbon source readily available to microorganisms. The typical rhizospheric community in the Caatinga biome comprises microorganisms with different types of metabolism and adaptive responses to changes depending on soil temperature, plant species, nutritional status, age, stress, illness, and other factors. Assays for a variety of soil enzymes give an indication of the functional diversity assumed by the microbes present. A use...