Further evidence that the N2-fixing endophytic bacterium from the intercellular spaces of sugarcane stems is Acetobacter diazotrophicus

Abstract

Nitrogen-fixing bacteria, isolated from the sugar solution in intercellular spaces of sugarcane stems, were compared with the type strain of Acetobacter diazotrophicus (PAL-5) and found to be congruent with it in all characters studied. These characters were 37 morphological and biochemical tests, cellular fatty acid composition, and nitrogenase activity. The nitrogenase activity was measured by acetylene reduction and H2 evolution and found to be unusual in that the H2 evolution was suppressed much less than expected by high concentrations of acetylene.