Nitrogen Fixation in Grasses Inoculated with
            <i>Spirillum lipoferum</i>

Smith, R. L.; Bouton, J. H.; Schank, S. C.; Quesenberry, K. H.; Tyler, M. E.; Milam, J. R.; Gaskins, M. H.; Littell, R. C.

doi:10.1126/science.193.4257.1003

Cited by 115 publications

(33 citation statements)

References 5 publications

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“…Significant increases in dry weight of Pennisetum and Panicum have been reported in field experiments with medium-level N fertilization (9), and the results presented here also indicate that A zospirillum-grass associations work best with modest initial levels of combined N in the soil.…”

Section: Methodssupporting

confidence: 54%

Increase in Dry Weight and Total Nitrogen Content in Zea mays and Setaria italica Associated with Nitrogen-fixing Azospirillum spp.

Cohen¹,

Okon²,

Kigel

et al. 1980

Plant Physiol.

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The association between nitrogen-fixing bacteria from the genus Azospiriliwm and the grasses Zea mays and Setaria italica was investigated in sterilized Leonard-jar assemblies. Nitrogen-fLxing bacteria isolated from Cynodon dactylon roots in Israel and Azospirilhun brasikns and Cd) were examined. C2H2 reduction activity was detected in systems containing 0.0 to 0.06 but not in those containing 0.16 gram per liter NH4NO3. The organisms tested signiflcantly increased plant dry weight (50-100%), total N content of leaves (50-100%) and C2H4 production (300-1000 nanomoles C2H4 per plant per hour). Highest C2H2 reduction activities were obtained above 30 C and with high ight intensities. Signiffcant increases in S. itaoica dry weight (DW) and nitrogen (N) content were observed in sand (DW -80%, N -150%), sandy loam soil (DW -80%, N = 75%) and loess (DW -37%, N = 25%). The results obtained in this work clearly demonstrate the potential benefit of inoculating grasses with AzospiriUunmThe potential benefit for grasses associated with nitrogen-fixing Azospirillum has received considerable attention (7). So far, few studies have shown clear evidence that, in this association, the bacteria supplied significant amounts of combined N to the plant and thereby increased growth (3). Nitrogen fixation in grasses associated with Azospirillum has been investigated mainly in detached roots or in soil cores containing the roots (7, 11). Under these conditions, C2H2 reduction tests probably have overestimated the actual activity in situ (2, 8). On the other hand, much lower activities have been reported in intact systems (1, 2, 1 1). One of the main problems encountered when working with Azospirillum in growth chambers has been cross-contamination of the controls (1).Here, the association between different strains of Azospirillum with maize and Setaria has been studied under different controlled environmental and soil conditions in sterilized systems (Leonardjar assemblies). MATERIALS AND METHODSAzospirillum brasilense ATCC 29145 (7) Crone's N-free solution supplemented with NH4NO3 (0.0-0.16 g/l) and microelements (6) was used as the nutrient solution. Each assembly was inoculated with I ml bacterial suspension. Autoclaved aliquots of the same suspension were added to the controls. Unless otherwise stated, in all experiments the plants were grown for 5 to 6 weeks in a Phytotron at the Faculty of Agriculture, Rehovot, at 27 C day and 22 C night in long days (16 h) obtained by extending the natural day length with incandescent illumination (6 1sE m-2 s-' at plant level).The systems were closed with a plastic cover and tightly sealed with plasticine, including the area surrounding the stems. C2H2 was added to the enclosed root system to a final concentration of 12% (v/v), and the C2H4 produced was determined after 24 h by gas chromatography with a flame ionization detector (4). Dry weight was determined on plant material dried at 80 C for 72 h in a forced-air oven. Total N was measured by the Kjeldahl method.Nitrogen-fixing ...

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Section: Methodssupporting

confidence: 54%

Increase in Dry Weight and Total Nitrogen Content in Zea mays and Setaria italica Associated with Nitrogen-fixing Azospirillum spp.

Cohen¹,

Okon²,

Kigel

et al. 1980

Plant Physiol.

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“…Field experiments in Florida (Smith et al, 1976) and Bahamas (Taylor, 1979) showed yield increases in Panicum and Pennisetum inoculated with Azospirillum, with maximum effect in soils with medium levels of N-fertilizer. This work reports inoculation experiments on several grasses in Israel during the summer of 1979 in commercial fields, at two sites with different environmental and soil conditions.…”

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confidence: 97%

Yield Increases in Summer Cereal Crops in Israeli Fields Inoculated with Azospirillum

et al. 1981

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Inoculating Zea mays (three cultivars), Sorghum bicolor, Panicum miliaceum and Setaria italica with nitrogen-fixing bacteria of the genus Azospirillum in Northern Negev and Bet Shean Valley field experiments resulted in significant increases in yield of grain and foliage of commercial value. It was concluded that inoculating summer cereal crops in Israel may save valuable nitrogen fertilizer.Nitrogen fixing bacteria of the genus Azospirillum, living in close association with roots of grasses (Neyra and Dobereiner, 1977), have been shown to benefit plant growth and yield by supplying fixed combined nitrogen to the plant (Nur et al., 1980a), and probably by excreting plant growth hormones that enhance root development (Tien et al., 1979).Experiments carried out recently under greenhouse conditions clearly demonstrated increases in dry weight and in total nitrogen content of maize, Setaria (Nur et al., 1980a), Pennisetum and Cynodon (Bouton et al., 1979) inoculated with Azospirillum. Field experiments in Florida (Smith et al., 1976) and Bahamas (Taylor, 1979) showed yield increases in Panicum and Pennisetum inoculated with Azospirillum, with maximum effect in soils with medium levels of N-fertilizer. This work reports inoculation experiments on several grasses in Israel during the summer of 1979 in commercial fields, at two sites with different environmental and soil conditions. (Tarrand et al., 1978) strain cd and a local strain (cd-1) (Nur et al., 1980b) were used in the inoculation experiments. The bacteria were grown in a malate synthetic liquid medium, supplemented with 0.05% NH 4 C1 (Okon et al., 1977) in a shaking bath at 33°C. The cell suspension was mixed with finely sieved sterilized peat, adjusted to pH 6.8 with CaCO 3 , at a final concentration of 10 8 -10 9 colony forming units (CFU)/g. The moisture content of the mixture was 40%, and the inoculant was stored at room temperature in sealed polyethylene bags. MATERIALS AND METHODS Azospirillum brasilenseTwo cultivars of Zea mays, cv Jobilli (sweet corn) of Rogers Co., USA, and cv Hazera-nanasi (forage crop), Sorghum bicolor cv Hazera-226 and Setaria italica were tested for their response to inoculation with Azospirillum near

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“…This microorganism has been used in field inoculation studies over the last decade with relative success by many workers (19,20,31,42,45), and crop yield increases as a result of inoculation are also well documented (3,10,40,42,48). Nonetheless, the response to inoculation by treated plants is known to be highly unpredictable (1,50).…”

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confidence: 99%

Cyst production and brown pigment formation in aging cultures of Azospirillum brasilense ATCC 29145

Sadasivan¹,

Neyra²

1987

J Bacteriol

109

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Nitrogen Fixation in Grasses Inoculated with Spirillum lipoferum

Cited by 115 publications

References 5 publications

Increase in Dry Weight and Total Nitrogen Content in Zea mays and Setaria italica Associated with Nitrogen-fixing Azospirillum spp.

Increase in Dry Weight and Total Nitrogen Content in Zea mays and Setaria italica Associated with Nitrogen-fixing Azospirillum spp.

Yield Increases in Summer Cereal Crops in Israeli Fields Inoculated with Azospirillum

Cyst production and brown pigment formation in aging cultures of Azospirillum brasilense ATCC 29145

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