Figure 4.

Kīlauea nontuberculous mycobacteria (NTM) prefer acidic soil and phosphate. (a) NTM cultured from Kīlauea soil in relation to the pH at soil collection sites. Soil pH measurements were grouped at intervals of pH 0.5. (b) Log odds ratios of NTM detection for a 1‐standard deviation increase in each Kīlauea soil variable. Soil chemistry is reported as major and minor element oxides, except sulfur. TOC = total organic carbon. (c) Detection of phosphate solubilizing NTM from Kīlauea soil and ash using Pikovskayas agar. Yellow text identifies isolates that solubilize and use phosphate. Pseudomonas aeruginosa was used as a positive control for phosphate solubilization.