RESUMO
A zotobacter chroococcum, Rhizobium sesbani and Rhizo bium lupini 282 were cultivated on modified Vincent medium supplemented with varying- concentrations of cooper and lead. The results indicate some disorder in the bacterial metabolic activities as a result of the presence of both elements. Several heavy metal containing proteins were detected in Rhizobium sesbani and Azotobacter chroococcum. The results suggested that both organisms were unable to regulate the incorporation heavy metals into proteins. However, R. lupini [282] was able to channel copper and lead via its metabolic activities. The results indicate that newly reclaimed soil should be cultivated with metal tolerant bacteria such as R. lupini [282] with nitrogen fixers host plans