Direct transfer of newly-fixed nitrogen from free-living epiphyllous microorganisms to their host plant

Abstract
Nitrogen fixed by epiphyllous microorganisms on the surfaces of Welfia georgii pinnae was transferred to the host leaf. Rates of transfer could account for 10–25% of the N content of the leaf. These data represent the first time that direct transfer of N from free-living N fixers can occur through the leaf surface.