How do Rhizobium bacteria act as a natural fertiliser for crops?
Rhizobium lives in the root nodules of legumes (peas, beans, gram) in a symbiosis.
Rhizobium lives in the root nodules of legumes (peas, beans, gram) in a symbiosis. It fixes nitrogen from the air into ammonia/nitrates that the plant can absorb, while the plant supplies the bacteria with food. This natural nitrogen supply enriches the soil, which is why farmers rotate legumes into their fields instead of relying only on chemical nitrogen fertilisers. Living microbes doing the fertilising is the idea of a biofertiliser.
Key point
Rhizobium in legume root nodules fixes atmospheric nitrogen into a plant-usable form, enriching soil.
Common mistake
thinking only manufactured fertilisers can add nitrogen to soil.
Memory tip
legume + Rhizobium = free nitrogen from the air (a living fertiliser).
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