Abstract
Root acetylene reduction activity and number of diazotrophs varied significantly with wheat varieties grown under field conditions. Rhizoplane contained 2–3 times more nitrogen fixing bacteria compared to rhizosphere. The two isolates 8W and 96W out of 148, showed highest nitrogenase activity in solid and semisolid media under laboratory conditions. These were identified asBacillus sp. (8W) andPseudomonas sp. (96W). The acetylene reduction activity of these bacteria were highest at 96 hr of incubation, 30°C and neutral pH. Increased nitrogenase activity was recorded with sodium malate (50 mM), yeast extract (0·2 g/l), ammonium chloride (5 mM) and vitamins. Pot house studies on wheat using diazotrophs as seed inoculants showed a positive response in number of N2 fixing bacteria, root acetylene reduction activity and dry matter yields.
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