Summary
Studies of the C and N economy of a range of temperate and tropical legume/Rhizobium symbioses indicate considerable variation (up to three-fold) in the cost of N2 fixation. Comparisons between and within symbioses indicate that the proportion of net photosynthate utilized in nodule functioning varies almost ten-fold from as low as 3% to as high as 25%. Factors possibly responsible for variation in efficiency of C use in nodules and in the proportioning of translocated photosynthetic products to nodules are discussed.
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Atkins, C.A. Efficiencies and inefficiencies in the legume/Rhizobium symbiosis—A review. Plant Soil 82, 273–284 (1984). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF02184267
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF02184267