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Nitrogen Fixing Bacteria in Grasses

Several genera of nitrogen fixing bacteria occur in high numbers in the rhizosphere of the roots of a variety of grasses. The important genera are Azospirillum, Azotobacter, Beijerinckia and Derxia.

However, the occurrence of bacteria in high numbers does not necessarily indicate their importance in the nitrogen economy of the system.

There is indirect evidence for the occurrence of a symbiotic nitrogen fixing bacteria inside roots.

Azospirillum has been isolated from 'surface sterilized' roots of field grown grasses. Bacteria can also be isolated from surface sterilized rice roots, after the roots have been crushed to release the bacteria.