Nitrification and simultaneous denitrification by Azospirillum brasilense 12S.

ABSTRACT

Azospirillum brasilense, an associative diazotrophs from sorghum roots grows autotrophically on NH + 4 and CaCO3. NH + 4 a is also oxidized to NO – 2 and then denitrified. Addition of malate to the autotrophic medium enhances both NH + 4 oxidation as well as NO – 2 dissimilation. The incomplete nitrification linked denitrification results in a rapid loss of nitrogen from the growth medium. The bacterium also shows assimilatory NO3− and NO 2 reductases and fixes nitrogen at < 50 μg N/ml of NH + 4 , NO−3 or NO-2.