Reduction of acetylene by nodules of Trifolium subterraneum as affected by root temperature, Rhizobium strain and host cultivar
✍ Scribed by Roughley, R. J. ;Dart, P. J.
- Publisher
- Springer-Verlag
- Year
- 1969
- Weight
- 466 KB
- Volume
- 69
- Category
- Article
- ISSN
- 0003-9276
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✦ Synopsis
The nitrogenase activity (measured by reduction of C2tt ~ to C2H4) of nodules on Tri/olium subterraneum grown at root temperatures from 7~ -19 ~ C was broadly correlated with nitrogen fixation. Root temperature did not affect enzyme activity per se but did affect the amount of enzyme formed. Exposure of nodules to 7~ for 24 h did not decrease activity cf. 19 ~ C. Activity was greatest when nodules were about 4 days old, before swollen baeteroid forms were produced, and then declined. The effectiveness of a bacterial strain at a given temperature was related to the amount of enzyme produced and to its persistence. Nitrogenase activity should be measured throughout the plant growth cycle for valid comparisons of strain effectiveness.