nitrogen-fixing bacteria

Nitrogen-fixing bacteria are prokaryotic microorganisms that are capable of transforming nitrogen gas from the atmosphere into “fixed nitrogen” compounds, such as ammonia, that are usable by plants.

Nitrogen is a component of proteins and nucleic acids and is essential to life on Earth. Although nitrogen is abundant in the atmosphere, most organisms cannot use it in that form. Nitrogen-fixing bacteria accomplish more than 90 percent of all nitrogen fixation and thus play an important role in the nitrogen cycle. Because of these bacteria, legumes have the nitrogen necessary to make lots of proteins, which, in turn, is why beans are such a good source of dietary protein for humans and other animals. Additionally, legumes and certain cereal grasses are often grown as green manures and for crop rotation on farms as an organic source of nitrogen for other crops.

There are two main types of nitrogen-fixing bacteria. Symbiotic, or mutualistic, species live in root nodules of certain plants. Plants of the pea family, known as legumes, are some of the most important hosts for nitrogen-fixing bacteria, but a number of other plants can also harbour these helpful bacteria. Other nitrogen-fixing bacteria are free-living and do not require a host. They are commonly found in soil or in aquatic environments.

Examples of symbiotic nitrogen-fixing bacteria include Rhizobium, which is associated with plants in the pea family, and various Azospirillum species, which are associated with cereal grasses. Free-living nitrogen-fixers include the cyanobacteria Anabaena and Nostoc and genera such as Azotobacter, Beijerinckia, and Clostridium.