Effect of increases in oxygen concentration during the argon-induced decline in nitrogenase activity in root nodules of soybean

Abstract

When intact nodulated roots of soybean (Glycine max L. Merr. nodulated with Bradyrhizobium japonicum strain USDA 16) were exposed to an atmosphere lacking N2 gas (Ar:O2 80:20), total nitrogenase activity (measured as H2 evolution) and respiration (CO2 evolution) declined with time of exposure. In Ar-inhibited nodules, when the O2 concentration in the rhizosphere was increased in a linear 'ramp' of 2.7% per minute, 93% of the original H2 evolution and 99% of the CO2 evolution could be recovered. The internal nodule O2 concentration (estimated from leghemoglobin oxygenation) declined to 56% of its initial value after 60 minutes of Ar:O2 exposure and could be partially recovered by the linear increases in O2 concentration. Nodule gas permeability, as estimated from the lag in ethylene production following exposure of nodules to acetylene, decreased to 26% of its initial value during the Ar-induced decline. Collectively, the results provide direct evidence that the Ar-induced decline results from decreased nodule gas permeability and indicate that the decline in permeability, rather than being immediate, occurs gradually over the period of Ar:O2 exposure.