Biological Nitrogen Fixation and Rhizospheric Microflora

Sulphur, a key element for higher pulse production, is required for the formation of proteins, vitamins and enzymes. Sulphur is a constituent of the amino acids - cystine, cysteine and methionine. Besides, it is also involved in various metabolic and enzymatic process, including photosynthesis, respiration and the process of biological nitrogen fixation. The chemo-autotrophs, ammonium and sulphur oxidizing bacteria produce nitric and sulphur acids, which convert the tricalcium phosphate to di and monobasic phosphates leading to increased availability of phosphorus to the plants. Root nodule bacterium-Rhizobium has the ability to fix atmospheric nitrogen in symbiotic association with legumes. The phosphorus, which gets fixed into the soil, is made available to crops by the actions of microorganisms. This book will be useful for scientists and workers who are working in the area of biological nitrogen fixation and antagonistic effect of Rhizobium and phosphate solubilizing micro-organisms, rhizospheric microflora, yield and quality of legumes and their interaction with sulphur.