Abstract
A STUDY of the growth factor requirements of Rhizobium trifolii has indicated that, under suitable conditions, the organisms are able to synthesize all the organic substances essential for growth from a synthetic carbohydrate - mineral salts medium of known composition. Although various extracts of plants and micro-organisms contain a heat-stable factor stimulative to growth, it is not required for successful continuous transfer of the organism in synthetic media. A base medium, claimed by Allison and Hoover1 to be incapable of supporting continued growth of the nodule organism in the absence of extracts of Azotobacter or other substances (termed ‘coenzyme R â), was found to be satisfactory after adjusting the oxidation-reduction potential and adding iron. Although the growth was not profuse in comparison with media which contain plant extracts, continuous transfer was possible.
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References
Allison, F. E., and Hoover, S. R., J. Bact., 27, 561 (1934).
West, P. M., and Wilson, P. W., Science, in the Press.
Laird, D. G., and West, P. M., Canad. J. Res., in the Press.
Nilsson, R., Bjälfve, G., and Burström, D., Naturwiss., 18, 284 (1938).
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WEST, P., WILSON, P. Synthesis of Growth Factors by Rhizobium trifolii. Nature 142, 397–398 (1938). https://doi.org/10.1038/142397b0
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1038/142397b0
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