Nitrogenase activity (acetylene reduction) associated with leaves of different cultivars of paddy (Oryza sativa L.)

Murty, MG (1984) Nitrogenase activity (acetylene reduction) associated with leaves of different cultivars of paddy (Oryza sativa L.). In: Plant and Soil, 77 (2-3). pp. 253-261.

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Abstract

An investigation was conducted to study the levels of nitrogen fixation on the leaf or sheath surfaces of four cultivars of paddy plants by using acetylene reduction technique. Varying levels of positive nitrogenase activity were observed on all the leaf surfaces. Sheath of IET 1991 cultivar showed a higher rate of fixation than the leaf surface. All the nitrogen-fixing organisms on the leaf or sheath surfaces belonged to the genus Beijerinckia. There was no correlation between the bacterial density and the level of fixation. Scanning electron microscopic data revealed that the upper surface of IET 1991 leaf was highly silicified and the microflora was either scanty or nil while the lower surface appeared quite different and harboured more micro-organisms. Similarly, the inner surface of sheath was devoid of silicification and showed the presence of micro-organisms.

Item Type:	Journal Article
Publication:	Plant and Soil
Publisher:	Springer
Additional Information:	Copyright for this article belongs to Springer.
Keywords:	Acetylene reduction; Beijerinckia; Nitrogen fixation; Paddy ; Phyllosphere; Silicification
Department/Centre:	Division of Biological Sciences > Microbiology & Cell Biology
Date Deposited:	28 Jan 2010 07:03
Last Modified:	19 Sep 2010 05:47
URI:	http://eprints.iisc.ac.in/id/eprint/23772

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