Total bacteria
Total bacteria (mg PLFA per kg) is the sum of all PLFAs that make up the membrane of the bacteria which are present in the sample. Certain groups of bacteria break down (simple) organic material, fix nutrients, bind atmospheric nitrogen, convert ammonium into nitrate nitrogen, form stable aggregates, increase disease resistance, and form breakdown products that can weaken or kill pathogens. Bacteria are present in a higher abundance when easily degradable materials with a low C/N ratio, such as slurry, are available.