Question

How the bacteria present in soil and root nodules of leguminous plants are useful?

Answer 1

1. Leguminous plants possess root nodules that house the bacteria Rhizobium in a symbiotic relationship with species such as peas, beans, and soybeans.
2. These bacteria provide nitrates, nitrites, and amino acids to the plants. They can transform nitrogen in the soil and atmosphere into various compounds.
3. This process is referred to as bacterial nitrogen fixing. In exchange, the plants supply energy in the form of sugars and provide habitat within the root nodules for the bacteria.
4. Additional bacteria and cyanobacteria, including Anabaena, Nostoc, and Azotobacter, exist as free-living organisms in the soil and also engage in nitrogen fixation. Both categories of bacteria enhance soil fertility and diminish the necessity for chemical fertilisers.