Skip to main content

Thank you for visiting nature.com. You are using a browser version with limited support for CSS. To obtain the best experience, we recommend you use a more up to date browser (or turn off compatibility mode in Internet Explorer). In the meantime, to ensure continued support, we are displaying the site without styles and JavaScript.

  • Letter
  • Published:

Nitrogen Fixation in Non-Legume Root Nodule Plants

Abstract

IT has been shown1–3 that fixation of atmospheric nitrogen is associated with nodule-bearing plants of alder (Alnus glutinosa), bog myrtle (Myrica gale) and sea buckthorn (Hippophaë rhamnoides), enabling the plants to grow in a rooting medium free of combined nitrogen just as in the case of legumes. This is well illustrated by Fig. 1, which shows plants of sea buckthorn from a recent experiment. There are, of course, other non-legume root nodule plants, but those named, together with related species, are the examples occurring in northern countries.

This is a preview of subscription content, access via your institution

Access options

Buy this article

Prices may be subject to local taxes which are calculated during checkout

Similar content being viewed by others

References

  1. Bond, G., Fletcher, W. W., and Ferguson, T. P., Plant and Soil, 5, 309 (1954).

    Article  Google Scholar 

  2. Bond, G., MacConnell, J. T., and McCallum, A. H., Ann. Bot., N.S., 20, 501 (1956).

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  3. Bond, G., New Phyt., 55, 147 (1956).

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  4. Giöbel, G., New Jersey Agric. Exp. Sta. Bull., 436 (1926).

  5. Nobbe, F., Schmid, E., Hiltner, L., and Hotter, E., Landw. Vers. Sta., 39, 327 (1891).

    Google Scholar 

  6. MacConnell, J. T., and Bond, G., Ann. Bot., N.S., 21, 185 (1957).

    Article  Google Scholar 

  7. Crocker, R. L., and Major, J., J. Ecol., 43, 427 (1955).

    Article  Google Scholar 

  8. Pirie, N. W., Nature, 177, 1200 (1956).

    Article  ADS  Google Scholar 

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

Authors

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Cite this article

BOND, G., GARDNER, I. Nitrogen Fixation in Non-Legume Root Nodule Plants. Nature 179, 680–681 (1957). https://doi.org/10.1038/179680a0

Download citation

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1038/179680a0

This article is cited by

Comments

By submitting a comment you agree to abide by our Terms and Community Guidelines. If you find something abusive or that does not comply with our terms or guidelines please flag it as inappropriate.

Search

Quick links

Nature Briefing

Sign up for the Nature Briefing newsletter — what matters in science, free to your inbox daily.

Get the most important science stories of the day, free in your inbox. Sign up for Nature Briefing