Bacteria and decaying plant material. Light microscopy footage of bacteria small, rod_shaped organisms in a culture of decaying plant material. Some are Vibrio bacteria, a genus of Gram_negative curved rod_shaped bacteria. The bacteria are feeding on and causing the plant material to decay. Most decomposition of organic matter is caused by bacteria and fungi. This decomposition is a vital stage in the recycling of organic matter to form new sources of nutrients. This footage was recorded with phase contrast microscopy techniques.