Naked Science Forum

Life Sciences => Plant Sciences, Zoology & Evolution => Topic started by: StaffanFromSweden on 09/02/2019 15:27:59

Title: How can bacteria in pea roots fix nitrogen from the air?
Post by: StaffanFromSweden on 09/02/2019 15:27:59

The bacterias are in roots nodules that are below ground, where there is no air. How can they fixate nitrogen from the air?

Title: Re: How can bacteria in pea roots fix nitrogen from the air?
Post by: Bored chemist on 09/02/2019 18:33:58

There is air down there- in the gaps between the soil particles, and also in solution.

Title: Re: How can bacteria in pea roots fix nitrogen from the air?
Post by: evan_au on 09/02/2019 21:50:56

The root nodules on plants which host symbiotic nitrogen-fixing bacteria provide the right conditions, including a supply of energy (from photosynthesis).

Many nitrogen-fixing bacteria cannot function in the presence of oxygen, so I assume that oxygen is depleted, and nitrogen is enhanced?
See: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nitrogen_fixation

Title: Re: How can bacteria in pea roots fix nitrogen from the air?
Post by: chris on 10/02/2019 22:20:32

This interview with Murdoch University's John Howieson on soil improvement and nitrogen-fixing rhizobia on legumes is informative. (https://www.thenakedscientists.com/articles/interviews/importing-legumes-australia)