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Metabolism and translocation of fixed nitrogen in the nodulated legume

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Plant and Soil Interfaces and Interactions

Part of the book series: Developments in Plant and Soil Sciences ((DPSS,volume 28))

Summary

Nitrogen (N2) fixed by Rhizobium bacteroids in the legume nodule is excreted as ammonia to the surrounding host cell where it is efficiently assimilated into the amide group of glutamine. Generally glutamine is a minor exported solute of nitrogen, being further metabolised to asparagine in temperate species and to the ureides, allantoin and allantoic acid in tropical species. These solutes serve as the principal translocated forms of nitrogen in xylem. Compartmentalisation of the pathways of nitrogen metabolism and the role of ammonia in regulation of their activity is examined in nodules of both asparagine-forming (Lupinus albus L.) and ureide-forming (Vigna unguiculata L. Walp) symbioses.

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Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Botany, University of Western Australia, Nedlands, WA, 6009, Australia

    C. A. Atkins

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  1. C. A. Atkins
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Editors and Affiliations

  1. Wageningen, The Netherlands

    A. Van Diest

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© 1987 Martinus Nijhoff Publishers, Dordrecht

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Atkins, C.A. (1987). Metabolism and translocation of fixed nitrogen in the nodulated legume. In: Van Diest, A. (eds) Plant and Soil Interfaces and Interactions. Developments in Plant and Soil Sciences, vol 28. Springer, Dordrecht. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-94-009-3627-0_12

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-94-009-3627-0_12

  • Publisher Name: Springer, Dordrecht

  • Print ISBN: 978-94-010-8122-1

  • Online ISBN: 978-94-009-3627-0

  • eBook Packages: Springer Book Archive

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