Effect of soil temperature on nitrogen fixation on roots of rice and reed

Summary The relation of nitrogenase activity (ethylene evolution) to soil temperature or incubation temperature of roots was determined on two genera of swamp plants, namely rice (Oryza sativa) cultivated in tropical climate and reed (Phragmites communis) grown in temperate regions. For both intact rice plants and excised rice roots the optimum temperature was 35°C. On excised roots nitrogenase activity responded more sensitivity to changes in temperature. In contrast to intact rice plants no ethylene evolution occurred on excised roots at 17 and 44°C. On reed roots temperature optimum was between 26 and 30°C which is clearly lower than on rice (35°C). The temperature range in which nitrogen fixation occurred was, however, similar to that of rice, although on a lower level. The results suggest a higher potential of the tropics for associative N₂ fixation, while in cooler climates the lower temperatures appear to be a major limiting factor.