Nitrogen Fixation (Acetylene Reduction) Associated with Duckweed ( Lemnaceae ) Mats

Abstract

Duckweed ( Lemnaceae ) mats in Texas and Florida were investigated, using the acetylene reduction assay, to determine whether nitrogen fixation occurred in these floating aquatic macrophyte communities. N 2 -fixing microorganisms were enumerated by plating or most-probable-number techniques, using appropriate N-free media. Results of the investigations indicated that substantial N 2 -fixation (C 2 H 2 ) was associated with duckweed mats in Texas and Florida. Acetylene reduction values ranged from 1 to 18 μmol of C 2 H 4 g (dry weight) −1 day −1 for samples incubated aerobically in light. Dark N 2 fixation was always two- to fivefold lower. 3-(3,4-Dichlorophenyl)-1,1-dimethylurea (7 to 10 μM) reduced acetylene reduction to levels intermediate between light and dark incubation. Acetylene reduction was generally greatest for samples incubated anaerobically in the light. It was estimated that 15 to 20% of the N requirement of the duckweed could be supplied through biological nitrogen fixation. N 2 -fixing heterotrophic bacteria (10 5 cells g [wet weight] −1 and cyanobacteria (10 5 propagules g [wet weight] −1 were associated with the duckweed mats. Azotobacter sp. was not detected in these investigations. One diazotrophic isolate was classified as Klebsiella.