Solution: For Rhizobium to fix nitrogen, the following conditions must be met.
- The production of root nodules requires a symbiotic connection between Rhizobium and roots.
- The requirement for a reduced environment
- Nitrogenase enzyme – this enzyme produces ammonia.
- Adenosine triphosphate (ATP) is necessary for ammonia production.
- NAD(P) H2 or FMNH2 is a decreasing power source.
- Ferredoxin – Ferredoxin functions as an electron donor.
- Amino groups are picked up by keto acids.
- Nitrate as a substrate — nitrate availability is lowered.
Rhizobium’s role in N2 fixation:
- Using the nitrogenase enzyme, they fix atmospheric nitrogen into a form that plants can use, namely ammonia.
- The plant, in turn, provides bacteria with proteins, carbohydrates, and enough oxygen to ensure that the fixation process is not disrupted.
- Leghaemoglobin is a plant protein that helps provide oxygen for the respiration process while keeping free oxygen levels low enough to keep nitrogenase activity from being hampered.