Magnesium-content of Rhizobium nodules in different plants: the importance of magnesium in nitrogen-fixation of nodules.
OBJECTIVE
Rhizobium bacteria induce nodules (tumors) in roots of leguminous crops that fix nitrogen (N2) from the atmosphere.


METHODS
Trials were carried on in sterile perlite where two species of peas were grown hydroponically, and in two different soil types (brown forest soil and meadow silt soil), in a field where different leguminous plants were chosen for test plants: lupin, soybean, broad-bean, lentil and bean inoculated by Rhizobium bacteria. The Mg-content of the nutrient solution was higher than that of the control, but in the soil tests 1% Mg leaf fertilization was applied after bacterial inoculation. Number, weight and Mg-content of nodules were evaluated using an AAS method compared with the thick and thin hair/roots of the given plant.


CONCLUSIONS
Our results clearly show that the Mg nutrition treatment increased the number of Rhizobium nodules and their Mg-content, resulting in increased N2-fixation and yield.
Kiss
Sandor A
SA
Hungarian Magnesium Society, Szeged, Hungary.
Stefanovits-Bányai
Eva
E
Takács-Hájos
Maria
M
D007887:Fabaceae / Q000382:microbiology*; D008274:Magnesium / Q000032:analysis / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000494:pharmacology; D009584:Nitrogen / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000493:pharmacokinetics; D009586:Nitrogen Fixation; D012231:Rhizobium / Q000378:metabolism*; D012987:Soil
D012987:Soil; D008274:Magnesium; D009584:Nitrogen