Which of the following groups represent the major component of living biomass in soils?

a. Fungi

b. Bacteria

c. Earthworms

d. Nematods

Answer: B. Bacteria

Explanation: Generally speaking, all microorganisms contribute to soil fertility because they decompose organic matter, flow nutrients. It is estimated that there are about 10 billion bacteria in every gram of soil around the roots of the plants and are crucial to the development of the plants.

According to the theory that tells about the origin and development of living organisms on earth, several billion years ago, the first bacteria formed in the oceans, which absorbed nitrogen, evolved and released oxygen. Thus, bacteria have generally contributed to the development of life on earth.

In addition, bacteria secrete a sugar substance, giving the binder material to soil particles. In this way, the soil has structural stability, contributing to the infiltration and retention of water in the soil.

There are many other organisms in the soil besides bacteria, which, unlike bacteria, are eukaryotic, meaning they have reproductive organs. Bacteria, which are prokaryotic organisms, have a simple cellular structure without internal organs. Bacteria are therefore the most abundant microorganisms in the soil and have a very important function as they did billions of years ago - nitrogen fixation.