Microbes are the oldest form of life on Earth. They first appeared about 3.5 billion years ago and are critically important in sustaining our life on Earth. Microbes generate at least half of the oxygen we breathe. In 1885, the Dutch microbiologist discovered another critical function they performed – Fixing nitrogen.
Approximately 80% of the atmosphere is nitrogen gas. It is too stable for the plants to break down the nitrogen; that’s where the microbes come into the picture. Since N2 is not used by most living organisms, plants, animals, and microorganisms die of nitrogen deficiency, surrounded by the N2 they can’t use. That’s because they use the ammonia form of Nitrogen.
These microbes help fix the nitrogen that is one of the building blocks of all of our body and all of our biochemistry. All plants depend upon nitrogen and also human beings, as the food that we eat has been prepared with the help of the nitrogen that has been fixed by the bacteria.
The Bacteria that help break down the nitrogen are called Rhizobium. These bacteria live with close association with plants, in legumes and also in a few other plants; the bacteria live in small branches on the roots called nodules. In these nodules, nitrogen fixation is done by the bacteria. For this procedure, the plants and microbes have a symbiotic relationship. Some effort is needed by the plant as well in this procedure.
Rhizobium live in intimate association of pea plants (alfalfa, beans, clovers, peas, soybeans)
NITROGEN FIXATION PROBLEMS IN THE FIELD
If a plant has been planted newly and is growing slowly, then you can suspect that there is insufficient nitrogen fixation. This is commonly seen with beans and alfalfa. Poor fixation is attributed to the lack of native Rhizobium to nodulate the legume, but the cause can also be poor plant nutrition and other plant stresses that inhibit nitrogen fixation. Generally, small nodules are going to be present after 2-3 weeks after germination.
To know all about Rhizobium, download BYJU’S – the learning app.
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