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Faults in Determining Nitrogenase Activity
Author(s) -
Singh G.,
Wright D.
Publication year - 2003
Publication title -
journal of agronomy and crop science
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.095
H-Index - 74
eISSN - 1439-037X
pISSN - 0931-2250
DOI - 10.1046/j.1439-037x.2003.00030.x
Subject(s) - nitrogenase , shoot , sativum , pisum , incubation , incubation period , horticulture , biology , botany , chemistry , nitrogen fixation , biochemistry , bacteria , genetics
The effects of three treatments performed before the acetylene reduction assay, i.e. shoot removal, shoot removal plus root shaking, and no disturbance (intact plants), and of the length of the incubation period (10, 30 or 60 min) on nitrogenase activity were investigated in pea ( Pisum sativum L.). The shoot removal plus root shaking treatment decreased nitrogenase activity to a greater extent than shoot removal. Nitrogenase activity was significantly higher when measured after a 10‐min incubation period than after a 30‐ or 60‐min incubation period. In another experiment, plants disturbed 15 min before the assay had a higher activity than plants disturbed 75 or 135 min before the assay. Similar results were obtained when activity was expressed as total nitrogenase activity and as specific nitrogenase activity.