Comparison of media and diluents for enumeration of aerobic bacteria from Bermuda grass golf course putting greens

To increase our knowledge of soil and rhizosphere bacteria associated with bermuda grass grown on golf courses, a standardized procedure has been developed. Seven aerobic bacterial groups were selected for enumeration. For each group selected, appropriate media were compared to determine which one was best for enumeration of that group. Six diluents were evaluated across all media for the seven bacterial groups. The best diluent was sodium pyrophosphate with glycerol. The following media were best for enumeration: solidified 10% tryptic soy broth for total culturable aerobic bacteria and heat tolerant bacteria; reduced arginine soluble salts medium for actinomycetes; S1 medium for fluorescent pseudomonads; XMSM for Stenotrophomonas maltophilia; Bacto azide blood agar base for gram-positive bacteria; crystal violet agar for gram-negative bacteria. (C) 1999 Elsevier Science B.V. All rights reserved.