Rhizobium–legume symbioses

are of great ecological and agronomic importance, due to their ability to fix large amounts of atmospheric nitrogen. These symbioses result in the formation on legume roots of differentiated organs called nodules, in which the bacteria reduce nitrogen into ammonia used by the host plant.

What is the role of Rhizobium bacteria?

The rhizobium bacteria basically colonize plant cells within the root nodules and there, they convert atmospheric nitrogen into ammonia. It is done with the help of an enzyme called nitrogenase where the bacteria helps the plants to receive organic nitrogenous compounds such as ureides and glutamine.

What do rhizobia bacteria do for legumes?

Legumes are able to form a symbiotic relationship with nitrogen-fixing soil bacteria called rhizobia. The result of this symbiosis is to form nodules on the plant root, within which the bacteria can convert atmospheric nitrogen into ammonia that can be used by the plant.