ATTEMPTS TO DEMONSTRATE THE PRODUCTION OF NITROGEN GAS BY RHIZOBIA

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Abstract
Studies with rhizobia showed that 30 out of 33 cultures reduced nitrates to nitrites to varying degrees. There was, however, no indication in expts. lasting 6-30 hrs. that there was a further reduction to N2 gas either by direct biological action or by a chemical reaction between nitrites and added amino acids or ammonia. In the light of chemical studies conducted subsequent to the completion of the expts. reported here, it seems unlikely that N2 gas formation through chemical reaction can occur in cultures of rhizobia or other organisms unless the pH of the culture medium falls below 5. Even then the percentage of the nitrite N so liberated is likely to be too small for accurate detn.

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