Rhizobium Bacteria

Nitrogen (N) is an very essential component which forms the building blocks of life. All living organisms require nitrogen to live and grow.We will try to learn about the nitrogen uses in daily life.Majority of the air which we breathe is N₂, most of the nitrogen in the atmosphere is unavailable for use by organisms.

The Rhizobia bacteria are a group of soil based microorganisms which establish symbiotic relationships with legumes. These SBO's form nodules on the roots of the legumes and provide nitrogen to the plants. In return, the plants provide carbon and energy for the SBO's.Nitrogen is vital for plant growth. It is abundant in the atmosphere and in soil organic matter, but not in a form that plants can use. Conventional methods of providing nitrogen to plants include 

(1) adding nitrogen fertilizers to the soil,

(2) inoculating (coating) seed  with nitrogen fixing bacteria. 

Nitrogen fixing bacteria convert atmospheric nitrogen to an inorganic form that is useable by plants.  In addition, the provide residual nitrogen, in the soil, which can reduce or eliminate nitrogen fertilizer requirements for the next growing season.