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1987•Physiologia PlantarumRequires access

Nitrogen fixation and nitrate reduction in the root nodules of legumes

Manuel Becana, Janet I. Sprent

Open publisher page 108 citations

Abstract

Published data on, and hypotheses regarding the effect of NO−3on functioning of legume root nodules are reviewed. It is concluded that a short‐term reversible effect of NO−3may act via an increased resistance to O2diffusion in nodules; this is coupled to decreased bacteroid respiration. For longer exposures to NO−3nodule activity is irreversibly lost, but how this relates to carbohydrate deprivation or NO‐2accumulation is unclear. Complicating factors include denitrification reactions and the interaction of NO−2with leghaemoglobin.

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What this paper is about

Published data on, and hypotheses regarding the effect of NO−3on functioning of legume root nodules are reviewed. It is concluded that a short‐term reversible effect of NO−3may act via an increased resistance to O2diffusion in nodules; this is coupled to decreased bacteroid respiration. For longer exposures to NO−3nodule activity is irreversibly lost, but how this relates to carbohydrate deprivation or NO‐2accumulation is unclear. Complicating factors include denitrification reactions and the interaction of NO−2with leghaemoglobin.

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OpenAlex reports 108 citations for this work. Citation counts describe recorded attention and do not establish research quality.

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Available abstract

Published data on, and hypotheses regarding the effect of NO−3on functioning of legume root nodules are reviewed. It is concluded that a short‐term reversible effect of NO−3may act via an increased resistance to O2diffusion in nodules; this is coupled to decreased bacteroid respiration. For longer exposures to NO−3nodule activity is irreversibly lost, but how this relates to carbohydrate deprivation or NO‐2accumulation is unclear. Complicating factors include denitrification reactions and the interaction of NO−2with leghaemoglobin.

Key concepts: Leghemoglobin, Nitrogen fixation, Nitrogenase, Root nodule, Legume, Nodule (geology), Respiration, Denitrification

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