Seasonal pattern of energy use, respiration, and nitrogenase activity in root nodules of Myrica gale
Annual CO2 evolution, H2 evolution, and C2H2 reduction were measured in root nodules from a vigorous Myrica gale stand in a Massachusetts peatland at 3-week intervals in 1980. Nodule activity was approximately the same under the experimental conditions (excised nodules reducing C2H2) as in nature (attached nodules reducing N2) and the CO2 evolution to O2 uptake ratio averaged 1.07. Nitrogenase activity was first detectable in late May, reached its maximum [Formula: see text] in mid-July, and disappeared in late October. The seasonal pattern of CO2 evolution was similar except that it continued at low rates when nitrogenase activity was absent. Hydrogen evolution was barely detectable. The energy cost of nitrogen fixation, expressed as the molar CO2:C2H4 ratio, was relatively low [Formula: see text] throughout the period of substantial nitrogenase activity and had a mean annual value of 4.9. Annual N2 fixation was estimated to be 2.8 g N m−2year−1, contributing about 33% of the annual N requirement measured in 1979. Annual C use by nodules was about 21.0 g C m−2 year−1. If this C were available for additional net production, it would increase it by about 5.5%.