rhizobia

(noun)

any of various bacteria, of the genus Rhizobium, that form nodules on the roots of legumes and fix nitrogen

Related Terms

Examples of rhizobia in the following topics:

  • Nitrogen Fixation: Root and Bacteria Interactions

    • Plants cannot extract the necessary nitrogen from soil, so they form symbiotic relationships with rhizobia that can fix it as ammonia.
    • Soil bacteria, collectively called rhizobia, symbiotically interact with legume roots to form specialized structures called nodules in which nitrogen fixation takes place .
    • Therefore, using rhizobia is a natural and environmentally-friendly way to fertilize plants as opposed to chemical fertilization that uses a non-renewable resource, such as natural gas.
    • Cells within the nodules are infected with Bradyrhyzobium japonicum, a rhizobia or "root-loving" bacterium.

  • Symbiosis between Bacteria and Eukaryotes

    • Soil bacteria, collectively called rhizobia, are able to symbiotically interact with legumes to form nodules: specialized structures where nitrogen fixation occurs .
    • Therefore, the use of rhizobia as biofertilizers is a sustainable practice.

  • Nutrients from Other Sources

    • Under nitrogen-limiting conditions, capable plants form a symbiotic relationship with a host-specific strain of bacteria known as rhizobia.