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Nitrogen fixation and nitrate reduction in the root nodules of legumes
Author(s) -
Becana Manuel,
Sprent Janet I.
Publication year - 1987
Publication title -
physiologia plantarum
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.351
H-Index - 146
eISSN - 1399-3054
pISSN - 0031-9317
DOI - 10.1111/j.1399-3054.1987.tb04335.x
Subject(s) - leghemoglobin , nitrogen fixation , nitrogenase , root nodule , legume , nodule (geology) , respiration , denitrification , nitrate , fixation (population genetics) , biology , chemistry , nitrogen , botany , biochemistry , ecology , paleontology , organic chemistry , gene
Published data on, and hypotheses regarding the effect of NO − 3 on functioning of legume root nodules are reviewed. It is concluded that a short‐term reversible effect of NO − 3 may act via an increased resistance to O 2 diffusion in nodules; this is coupled to decreased bacteroid respiration. For longer exposures to NO − 3 nodule activity is irreversibly lost, but how this relates to carbohydrate deprivation or NO‐ 2 accumulation is unclear. Complicating factors include denitrification reactions and the interaction of NO − 2 with leghaemoglobin.