Abstract
Evidence is presented that the diffusion of oxygen into the bacteroid zone of legume nodules is regulated by a variable barrier. the implications of this in relation to oxygen limitation of nitrogen fixation and protection of ni trogenase during periods of environmental stress are reviewed.
Access this chapter
Tax calculation will be finalised at checkout
Purchases are for personal use only
Preview
Unable to display preview. Download preview PDF.
Similar content being viewed by others
References
Bergersen, F.J. 1970. The quantitative relationship between nitrogen fixation and the acetylene-reduction assay. Aust. J. Biol. Sci., 23, 1015–1025.
Carroll, B.J., McNeil, D.L. and Gresshoff, P.M. 1987. Oxygen supply to nodules limits nitrogen fixation (acetylene reduction) in nitrate-and dark-inhibited soybean (Glycine max (L.) Merr.) plants. Planta (in press).
Criswell, J.G., Havelka, U.D., Quebedeaux, B. and Hardy, R.W.F. 1976. Adaptation of nitrogen fixation by intact soybean nodules to altered rhizosphere pO2. Plant Physiol., 58, 622–625.
Dakora, F.D., Atkins, C.A. and Pate, J.S. 1986. Oxygen sensitivity of nitrogenase and N2 fixation in cowpea nodules developing in sub-ambient O2 levels. In ‘The Eighth Australian Nitrogen Fixation Conference’ (Ed. W. Wallace and S.E. Smith). (AIAS, Canberra), pp. 11–12.
Denison, R.F., Weisz, P.R. and Sinclair, T.R. 1983. Analysis of acetylene reduction rates of soybean nodules at low acetylene concentrations. Plant Physiol., 73, 648–651.
Durand, J-L., Sheehy, J.E. and Minchin, F.R. 1987. Nitrogenase activity, photosynthesis and nodule water potential in soyabean plants experiencing water deprivation. J. Exp. Bot., 38, 311–321.
Gordon, A.J., Ryle, G.J.A., Mitchell, D.F. and Powell, C.E. 1985. The flux of 14C-labelled photosynthate through soyabean root nodules during N2 fixation. J. Exp. Bot., 36, 756–769.
Hartwig, U., Boiler, B. and Nosberger, J. 1987. Oxygen supply limits nitrogenase activity of clover nodules after defoliation. Ann. Bot., 59, 285–291.
Houwaard, F. 1980. Influence of ammonium and nitrate nitrogen on nitrogenase activity of pea plants as affected by light intensity and sugar addition. Plant Soil., 54, 271–282.
Hunt, S., King, B.J., Canvin, D.T. and Layzell, D.B. 1987. Steady and nonsteady state gas exchange characteristics of soybean nodules in relation to the oxygen diffusion barrier. Plant Physiol., 84, 164–172.
Layzell, D.B., Nochman, P. and Canrin, D.T. 1984. Low root temperatures and ni trogenase activity in soybean. Can. J. Bot., 62, 965–971.
Mague, T.H. and Burris, R.H. 1972. Reduction of acetylene and nitrogen by field-grown soybeans. New Phytol., 71, 275–286.
Minchin, F.R., Minguez, M.I., Sheehy, J.E., Witty, J.F. and Skot, L. 1986. Relationships between nitrate and oxygen supply in symbiotic nitrogen fixation by white clover. J. Exp. Bot., 37, 1103–1113.
Minchin, F.R., Sheehy, J.E., Minguez, M.I. and Witty, J.F. 1985a. Characterisation of the resistance to oxygen diffusion in legume nodules. Ann. Bot., 55, 53–60.
Minchin, F.R., Sheehy, J.E. and Witty, J.F. 1985b. Factors limiting N2 fixation by the Legume-Rhizobium symbiosis. In ‘Nitrogen Fixation Research Progress’ (Ed. H.J. Evans, P.J. Bottomley and W.E. Newton). (Martinus Nijhoff, Dordrecht), pp. 285–291.
Minchin, F.R. and Summerfield, R.J. 1976. Symbiotic nitrogen fixation and vegetative growth of cowpea (Vigna unguiculata (L.) Walp.) in waterlogged conditions. Plant Soil, 45, 113–127.
Minchin, F.R., Witty, J.F. and Sheehy, J.E. 1983a. A new technique for the measurement of respiratory costs of symbiotic nitrogen fixation. In ‘Temperate Legumes: Physiology, Genetics and Nodulation’ (Ed. D.G. Jones and D.R. Davies). (Pitman, London). pp. 201–217.
Minchin, F.R., Witty, J.F., Sheehy, J.E. and Muller, M. 1983b. A major error in the acetylene reduction assay: decreases in nodular nitrogenase activity under assay conditions. J. Exp. Bot., 34, 641–649.
Pankhurst, C.E. and Sprent, J.I. 1975. Effects of water stress on the respiratory and nitrogen-fixing activity of soybean root nodules. J. Exp. Bot., 26, 287–304.
Ryle, G.J.A., Powell, C.E. and Gordon, A.J. 1986. Defoliation in white clover: nodule metabolism, nodule growth and maintenance, and nitrogenase functioning during growth and regrowth. Ann. Bot., 57, 263–271.
Sarath, G., Pfeiffer, N.E., Sodh, C.S. and Wagner, F.W. 1986. Bacteroids are stable during dark-induced senescence of soybean root nodules. Plant Physiol., 82, 346–350.
Schuller, K.A., Day, D.A., Gibson, A.H. and Gresshoff, P.M. 1986. Enzymes of ammonium assimilation and ureide biosynthesis in soybean nodules: effect of nitrate. Plant Physiol., 80, 646–650.
Sheehy, J.E. and Bergersen, F.J. 1986. A simulation study of the functional requirements and distribution of leghaemoglobin in relation to biological nitrogen fixation in legume root nodules. Ann. Bot., 58, 121–136.
Sheehy, J.E., Minchin, F.R. and Witty, J.F. 1983. Biological control of the resistance to oxygen flux in nodules. Ann. Bot., 52, 565–571.
Sheehy, J.E., Minchin, F.R. and Witty, J.F. 1985. Control of nitrogen fixation in a legume nodule: an analysis of the role of oxygen diffusion in relation to nodule structure. Ann. Bot., 55, 549–562.
Sprent, J.I., Giannakis, C. and Wallace, W. 1987. Transport of nitrate and calcium into legume root nodules. J. Exp. Bot., 38, 1121–1128.
Streeter, J.G. 1981. Seasonal distribution of carbohydrates in nodules and stem exudate from field-grown soya bean plants. Ann. Bot., 48, 441–450.
Tjepkema, J.D. and Yocum, C.S. 1974. Measurement of oxygen partial pressure within soybean nodules by oxygen microelectrodes. Planta, 119, 351–360.
Weisz, P.R., Denison, R.F. and Sinclair, T.R. 1985. Response to drought stress of nitrogen fixation (acetylene reduction) rates by field-grown soybeans. Plant Physiol., 78, 525–530.
Witty, J.F., Minchin, F.R., Sheehy, J.E. and Minguez, M.I. 1984. Acetylene-induced changes in the oxygen diffusion resistance and nitrogenase activity of legume root nodules. Ann. Bot., 53, 13–20.
Witty, J.F., Minchin, F.R., Skot, L. and Sheehy, J.E. 1986. Nitrogen fixation and oxygen in legume root nodules. In ‘Oxford Surveys of Plant Molecular & Cell Biology, Vol. 3’ (Ed. B.J. Miflin). (Oxford Press, Oxford). pp. 275–314.
Witty, J.F., Skot, L. and Revsbech, N.P. 1987. Direct evidence for changes in the resistance of legume root nodules to O2 diffusion. J. Exp. Bot., 38, 1129–1140.
Wong, P.P. and Evans, H.J. 1971. Poly-ß-hydroxybutyrate utilization by soybean (Glycine max Merr.) nodules and assessment of its role in maintenance of nitrogenase activity. Plant Physiol., 47, 750–755.
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Editor information
Editors and Affiliations
Rights and permissions
Copyright information
© 1988 ECSC, EEC, EAEC, Brussels and Luxembourg
About this chapter
Cite this chapter
Minchin, F.R., Witty, J.F., Skøt, L. (1988). Limitations and Benefits of Oxygen Diffusion Control in Legume Nodules. In: O’Gara, F., Manian, S., Drevon, J.J. (eds) Physiological Limitations and the Genetic Improvement of Symbiotic Nitrogen Fixation. Advances in Agricultural Biotechnology, vol 23. Springer, Dordrecht. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-94-009-1401-8_9
Download citation
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-94-009-1401-8_9
Publisher Name: Springer, Dordrecht
Print ISBN: 978-94-010-7126-0
Online ISBN: 978-94-009-1401-8
eBook Packages: Springer Book Archive