"Beijerinckia derxii" stimulates the viability of non-N(2)-fixing bacteria in nitrogen-free media

The interactions between the nitrogen-fixing microorganism "Beijerinckia derxii" with two non-diazotrophic bacteria, either "Escherichia coli" or a faculty sulphur-oxidizing chemolitroph, were studied in mixed cultures. Direct and indirect contact between "B. derxii" and "E. coli" were tested. "B. derxii" increased CFU numbers and/or maintained the viability of the non-diazotrophic bacteria, but neither growth nor nitrogenase activity of the nitrogen-fixing bacterium were affected by either partner

Effect of hydration and dehydration on initiation and dynamics of some physiological reactions in desiccation tolerant cyanobacterium Scytonema geitleri.

The effect of hydration and dehydration has been studied on extent and recovery of some metabolic reactions in desiccation tolerant terrestrial cyanobacterium Scytonema geitleri. The results show that the energy transducing reactions like photochemical reactions of photosynthesis recover first, followed by increase in ATP pool size. During later phase of hydration, appearance of energy consuming processes such as CO2 fixation and nitrogen fixation have been observed. Sensitivity of reactions during dehydration followed the pattern reverse to recovery processes.