8. What are the conditions necessary for the fixation of atmospheric nitrogen by Rhizobium? What is their role in N2 - fixation?
The conditions necessary for fixation of atmospheric nitrogen by Rhizobium and their roles in nitrogen fixation are as follows:
1. Reducing environment- A reducing environment is necessary for the action of the enzyme nitrogenase which is sensitive to free oxygen.
2. Presence of nitrogenase enzyme- a Mo-Fe protein — that helps in the conversion of atmospheric free nitrogen into ammonia.
3. Presence of leghaemoglobin- The root nodules containing Rhizobium contain leg-haemoglobin, which protects nitrogenase from oxygen.
4. Source of energy as ATP- Nitrogen fixation is an energy energy-requiring process thus ATP is required.
5. Source of reducing power NAD(P), H2 or FMNH2-
6. Ferredoxin as the electron donor- Ferredoxin makes nitrogen reactive.
7. Magnesium ions as cofactors- Magnesium acts as a cofactor and helps in the activity of nitrogenase.