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The MYSTERY of the altered GENE Professor Peter M Gresshoff p.gresshoff@uq.edu.au www.cilr.uq.edu.au. NODULE FORMATION and NITROGEN FIXATION Professor Peter M Gresshoff p.gresshoff@uq.edu.au www.cilr.uq.edu.au. LEGUMES form NODULES. Nodules. Sucrose. 1 mm. Nitrogen Gas.
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The MYSTERY of the altered GENE Professor Peter M Gresshoff p.gresshoff@uq.edu.au www.cilr.uq.edu.au
NODULE FORMATION and NITROGEN FIXATION Professor Peter M Gresshoff p.gresshoff@uq.edu.au www.cilr.uq.edu.au
LEGUMES form NODULES Nodules Sucrose 1 mm Nitrogen Gas Amino acids/protein/DNA/RNA Ammonium
N2 + 16 ATP + 8 e- + 8 H+ 2 NH3 + 16 ADP + H2 ENERGY: Solar (photosynthesis) or fossil (Haber-Bosch process)????
Nodulation and nitrogen fixation are key processes for food, feed, and fuel Nodule induction Colonisation Endosymbiosis Root hair deformation and curling Nitrogen Fixation Protein-rich Seeds Cell Division
Nod factors Nod genes RECEPTION NFR1/5 Rhizobium FLAVONES Legume Root
Root hairs Rhizobia
Infection pocket Cell walls Infection thread
Cell nuclei Inner cortex cells dividing Vascular bundle
Infection thread Rhizobia in cortex
Nodule primordium Epidermis Xylem Cortex Phloem
Bacteroids Vasculature
Nodule cortex Nucleus Rhizobium cells (25,000)
The NODULATION process allows the conversion of atmospheric nitrogen gas to ammonia - which is a fertiliser for all plants malate amino acids Bacteroid within a legume nodule cells, engulfed by a plant membrane controlling nutrient and ammonia transport N2 + 16 ATP + 8 e- + 8 H+ 2 NH3 + 16 ADP + H2 ammonia
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