An assay technique of measurement of nitrogenase activity in root zone of rice for varietal screening by the acetylene reduction method

Summary The feasibility of using a plastic bag was examined in a test to screen rice varieties for differences in the nitrogen-fixing activity in their root zones. The change in the volume of the plastic bag during 24 hours of incubation was not significant. Although the plastic bag was permeable to acetylene and ethylene, the amounts lost through permeation during 24 hours of incubation did not seem to affect the acetylene reduction assay. The plastic bag was convenient to use in creating different conditions of the gas phase, and was useful for screening six rice varieties for differences in nitrogen-fixing activity in their root zones.