Biological Nitrogen Fixation

Gary Stacey, Robert H. Burris, Harold J. Evans

Springer Science & Business Media, Apr 30, 1992 - Nature - 943 pages

Nitrogen fixation is a key component of the nitrogen cycle, one of the most fundamental cycles in the biosphere. Conversion of atmospheric nitrogen into organic nitrogen compounds can be carried out only by certain bacteria and blue-green algae (cyanobacteria). Some nitrogen fixing bacteria live symbiotically with leguminous plants such as peas, beans, clover, and certain tropical trees in nodules on the plants' roots, while others live independently in the soil and aquatic habitats. By the activity of these microorganisms, the soil is enriched with the nitrogen required for plant growth and function. Thus the topic is of considerable practical as well as fundamental importance. In Biological Nitrogen Fixation, the leading researchers in nitrogen fixation from all over the world contribute up-to-the-minute general reviews on all aspects of the subject, from the molecular biology and genetics to the biochemistry, physiology, and ecology of nitrogen fixation. This compendium of current research is an indispensable reference for all involved in nitrogen fixation research, and of use to all who deal indirectly with the subject. It will also serve as a thoroughly up-to-date textbook for graduate students in microbiology, plant science, biochemistry, molecular biology, plant pathology, agronomy, and genetics.

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Contents

• Highlights in Biological Nitrogen Fixation during the Last 50 Years: 1
• Phylogenetic Classification of NitrogenFixing Organisms: 43
• Physiology of Nitrogen Fixation in FreeLiving Heterotrophs: 87
• Nitrogen Fixation by Photosynthetic Bacteria: 135
• Nitrogen Fixation in Cyanobacteria: 166
• Nitrogen Fixation by Methanogenic Bacteria: 191
• Associative NitrogenFixing Bacteria: 212
• Actinorhizal Symbioses: 259
• Ecology of Bradyrhizobium and Rhizobium: 293
• The Rhizobium Infection Process: 349
• Physiology of NitrogenFixing Legume Nodules Compartments and Functions: 399
• Hydrogen Cycling in Symbiotic Bacteria: 432
• Evolution of NitrogenFixing Symbioses: 461
• The Rhizobium Symbiosis of the Nonlegume Parasponia: 497
• Genetic Analysis of Rhizobium Nodulation: 560
• Nodulins in Root Nodule Development: 598
• Plant Genetics of Symbiotic Nitrogen Fixation: 625
• Molecular Genetics of Bradyrhizobium Symbioses: 648
• The Enzymology of MolybdenumDependent Nitrogen Fixation: 685
• Alternative Nitrogen Fixation Systems: 736
• Biochemical Genetics of Nitrogenase: 763
• Regulation of Nitrogen Fixation Genes in FreeLiving and Symbiotic Bacteria: 835
• Isolated IronMolybdenum Cofactor of Nitrogenase: 877
• Index: 931

Popular passages

Page 870 - Kustu, S., 1985, Products of nitrogen regulatory genes ntrA and ntrC of enteric bacteria activate glnA transcription in vitro: evidence that the ntrA product is a sigma factor, Proc.

Bibliographic information

• Title: Biological Nitrogen Fixation
• Editors: Gary Stacey, Robert H. Burris, Harold J. Evans
• Edition: illustrated
• Publisher: Springer Science & Business Media, 1992
• ISBN: 0412024217, 9780412024214
• Length: 943 pages
• Subjects: Nature / Plants / Trees; Science / Life Sciences / Zoology / General; Technology & Engineering / Agriculture / Forestry