The ability of effective and ineffective strains of rhizobia to degrade 6-phosphogluconate directly to pyruvate and the metabolic activity of these strains in relation to the glycolytic, and hexose monophosphate oxidative pathways of carbohydrate break down were studied. No distinct relationship between metabolic activity, pyruvate production, and effectiveness was obtained although it was found that effective strains of rhizobia oxidized succinate more rapidly than ineffective strains. The organisms possess certain enzymes involved in glycolysis as well as alternate pathways for hexose phosphate utilization via the oxidative route.