Nitrogen fixation by Rhizobium associated with tobacco and cowpea cell cultures (original) (raw)

Nature volume 253, pages 351–352 (1975) Cite this article

Abstract

THE maxim that nitrogen fixation by the root nodule bacteria, Rhizobium, is restricted to a formal symbiotic association with specific legumes has recently been challenged. Trinick1 showed that nodules formed on the non-legume Trema canabina (previously identified as T. aspera; M. J. Trinick, personal communication) by a strain of Rhizobium which nodulated Vigna unguiculata (cowpea), possess nitrogenase activity and fix atmospheric nitrogen. Soybean tissue cultures inoculated with _R. japonicum_2–4, or with cowpea strains of _rhizobia_3, also possess apparently functional nitrogenase as determined by the acetylene reduction assay5. Several attempts have failed to demonstrate nitrogenase activity in cultured rhizobia6, including cowpea strains7.

This is a preview of subscription content, access via your institution

Access options

Subscribe to this journal

Receive 52 print issues and online access

$199.00 per year

only $3.83 per issue

Buy this article

USD 39.95

Prices may be subject to local taxes which are calculated during checkout

Additional access options:

Similar content being viewed by others

References

  1. Trinick, M. J., Nature, 244, 459–460 (1973).
    Article ADS Google Scholar
  2. Holsten, R. D., Burns, R. C., Hardy, R. W. F., and Hebert, R. R., Nature, 232, 173–176 (1971).
    Article ADS CAS Google Scholar
  3. Phillips, D. A., Pl. Physiol., 53, 67–72 (1974).
    Article CAS Google Scholar
  4. Child, J. J., and LaRue, T. A., Pl. Physiol., 53, 88–90 (1974).
    Article CAS Google Scholar
  5. Dilworth, M. J., Biochim. biophys. Acta, 127, 285–295 (1966).
    Article CAS Google Scholar
  6. Hardy, R. W. F., Burns, R. C., and Holsten, R. D., Soil Biol. Biochem., 5, 47–81 (1973).
    Article CAS Google Scholar
  7. Phillips, D. A., Howard, R. L., and Evans, H. J., Physiol. Plant., 28, 248–253 (1973).
    Article CAS Google Scholar
  8. Schenk, R. V., and Hildebrandt, A. C., Can. J. Bot., 50, 199–204 (1972).
    Article CAS Google Scholar
  9. Bergersen, F. J., Aust. J. biol. Sci., 23, 1015–1025 (1970).
    Article CAS Google Scholar
  10. Dilworth, M. J., and Parker, C. A., J. theoret. Biol., 25, 208–218 (1969).
    Article CAS Google Scholar
  11. Dunican, L. K., and Tierney, A. B., Biochem. biophys. Res. Commun., 57, 62–72 (1974).
    Article CAS Google Scholar

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Division of Plant Industry, CSIRO, Canberra, Australia
    W. R. SCOWCROFT & A. H. GIBSON

Authors

  1. W. R. SCOWCROFT
  2. A. H. GIBSON

Rights and permissions

About this article

Cite this article

SCOWCROFT, W., GIBSON, A. Nitrogen fixation by Rhizobium associated with tobacco and cowpea cell cultures.Nature 253, 351–352 (1975). https://doi.org/10.1038/253351a0

Download citation