With ripening of the seeds the number of microbes on their surface increases. The numbers of microbes found on the surface of the green parts of plants are not smaller. These numbers vary from species to species, in relation to the age of the plants, and also with the soil-climatic conditions. As a rule, the number of epiphytes on the surface of young plants is larger than the number on ripening ones. In relation to seeds, the opposite picture was observed.
Bacteria form the greatest part of the epiphytic microflora.
The species composition of the bacteria is quite diverse, but the dominating part of it is considerably small. Almost all the investigators noted the predominance of bacteria with a yellow pigment, classified as Ps. Upon germination of seeds in the soil, these bacteria soon disappear, reappearing toward the end of ripening. On growing plants, according to the author, there is abundant growth of lactic-acid bacteria. On seeds of barley and oats Weller found sporeforming bacteria.