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Title: Enhancing biological production of ammonia from atmospheric nitrogen and soil nitrate. Progress report

Technical Report ·
OSTI ID:5763216

This report focuses on the genetic engineering of improved strains of root nodule bacteria--Rhizobium japonicum--which form effective nitrogen fixing associations with soybeans. Methodology is presented for the molecular cloning of nitrogen fixing (nif) genes of soybean Rhizobium and the hydrogen uptake (Hup) system in R. japonicum. The latter includes strategies for genetic engineering of Hup genes to enhance energy efficiency of symbiotic nitrogen fixation. Also described are the function of osmotic tolerance (osm) plasmids and stages of genetic engineering to protect the bacteria against drought and salinity stresses. Strains of Rhizobium leguminosorium were examined to determine how their plasmid content affects symbiosis and host plant function. Other studies include the enhancement of biological nitrogen fixation in rice paddies, conservation of fixed nitrogen, and integrative physiology of nitrogen assimilation in higher plants. Extensive references and future research plans are included.

Research Organization:
California Univ., Davis (USA)
OSTI ID:
5763216
Report Number(s):
PB-81-204125
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English