Analysis of the effect of O partial pressure on nitrogen fixation in soybean plant using positron-emitting tracer

Hung, N. V. P.; Ishii, Satomi; Suzui, Nobuo; Kawachi, Naoki; Yin, Y.-G.; Koyanagi, Atsushi; Oyama, Takuji*; Fujimaki, Shu

The impacts of oxygen in rhizosphere on the symbiotic nitrogen fixation in real-time was evaluated under various O partial pressure. Soybean nodules were treated with mixed gas containing N labeled with a radioisotope N and various concentrations of O, and the nitrogen fixation activity in the nodules was visualized by the positron-emitting tracer imaging system (PETIS). The results showed that under normal condition the nitrogen fixation ability of soybean plant was higher compared to that of under the other conditions (0% O and 10% O). There was no significant difference in the nitrogen fixation activity between 0% O and 10% O.