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South East

These nitrogen fixing bacteria can form a relationship with a certain plant. Some work best on peas, lentils, some on soybean. Does anyone know the ones best suited for curcubits?

3/13/2009 12:32:46 AM

Eastern Washington State

Frank

There are several species of Rhizobium, unfortunately from what I can recall, they can only form productive associations with plants of the legume family (like the species you mentioned.)

Actually the plants and bacteria are adapted to one another and undergo a fascinating signalling exchange that results in a root hair being modified to form an oxygen free nodule where the bacteria multiply and do their stuff. Pretty cool adaptation really. Molecular biologists have been studied it with the hopes of modifying non-legumious crop plants to fix their own nitrogen. Don't think they've gotten far, it's not a simple process.

brian

3/13/2009 1:48:05 PM

South East

thanks Brian,,I thought so.

3/16/2009 1:21:55 AM