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Nitrogen Fixation in Grasses -

Nitrogen fixing bacteria have been found associated with the roots of grasses. Accumulation of nitrogen has also been found under grasses. This is important from the point of view of overall nitrogen fixation, since the total cultivated world area used for cereal grasses is X 10 that for legumes.

Long term nitrogen balance studies at Rothhamstead, England, have provided evidence for non symbiotic nitrogen fixation.

In the permanent wheat experiment at Broadbalk, a part of the nitrogen for the annual wheat crop is supplied by biological nitrogen fixation. There is evidence for an association between nitrogen fixing bacteria and wheat. In a particular experimental area, it has been estimated that biological nitrogen fixation contributed 34 kg of nitrogen per ha, per year.

Nitrogenase activity has been detected in the rhizosphere of roots of plants found on the site. Nitrogen fixation by legumes and cyanobacteria was negligible in the area, and did not contribute significantly to the nitrogen accumulation.