Nitrogenase activity of pea bacteroids as affected by carbohydrates and ammonium chloride

Regulation and efficiency of the nitrogen-fixing system of the rhizobium-pea symbiosis were investigated. Acetylene reduction of detached root nodules was measured with various substrates added. Succinate, fumarate and malate were most effective in stimulating nitrogenase activity; glucose, pyruvate...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Plant and soil 1980-01, Vol.54 (1), p.51-63
Main Author: Houwaard, F
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Alkynes
Bacteroids
Nitrogen
Nitrogen fixation
Nodules
Nutrient use efficiency
Peas
Plants
Respiration
Root nodules
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Summary:Regulation and efficiency of the nitrogen-fixing system of the rhizobium-pea symbiosis were investigated. Acetylene reduction of detached root nodules was measured with various substrates added. Succinate, fumarate and malate were most effective in stimulating nitrogenase activity; glucose, pyruvate and citrate were also active. Acetylene reducing activity of detached nodules was inhibited by the addition of NH₄Cl, irrespective of the substrate present. Nitrogenase activity of isolated bacteroids was not influenced by NH₄Cl. Respiration of detached nodules was not significantly stimulated by the addition of substrates. Ammonium chloride did not influence respiration. With detached nodules and isolated bacteroids a consumption of about 16 g of carbohydrate per g of nitrogen fixed could be calculated. Detached nodules produced more hydrogen relative to the acetylene reduced than did isolated bacteroids and intact plants. Results obtained indicate that the regulation of nitrogenase activity and the efficiency of substrate consumption depend on environmental conditions.
ISSN:0032-079X
1573-5036
DOI:10.1007/BF02181999