Abstract

A unique assay system for quantitative analysis of biological nitrogen fixation by intact plants has been constructed and successfully tested. With the system, it has been possible to detect acetylene reduction by intact legumes in situ under laboratory conditions. This assay method is designed to approximate field conditions and in spite of possible procedural errors in sampling, background noise of the gas chromatograph and ethylene contamination of the acetylene gas used in the assay, this method is sensitive ·enough to detect as little as 1 ppm enrichment of ethylene gas as a result of acetylene reduction by intact soybean plants. The determinations of nitrogen fixed are in good agreement with results obtained by other researchers who have used the acetylene reduction technique in in vitro studies.

Degree

College and Department

Life Sciences; Plant and Wildlife Sciences

Rights

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