Agriculture

Identify root nodules on a legume and outline their significance in the management
of soil fertility
Reword:

What are legumes?

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Nitrogen fixation occurs in nodules

Nitrogen fixing bacteria on legume roots (Source: FAO, Rome)

Rhizobium
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 Crop Production - Nitrogen Fixation

A variety of legumes are grown in agriculture. Some legumes are grown as a direct food supply for
both animals and humans while others are grown as fodder crops, adding organic matter and valua­
ble soil nitrogen. All legumes have the ability to fix soil nitrogen, making atmospheric nitrogen avail­
able for plant use. This ability makes them invaluable in sustainable agricultural production systems.

This work requires you to use your knowledge of nitrogen fixation and photosynthesis and how they
effect the growth of some legume species. It also gives you a chance to practice your graphing skills.

The levels of nitrogen fixation occurring on-farm with different crops.

Amounts of nitrogen fixed (kg

Species Crop management
N/ha)

Chickpea no irrigation 25

Faba bean no irrigation 70

Faba bean partial irrigation 106

Lupin no irrigation 220

Soybean fully irrigated 180

 P4
Questions

1. Draw and label a graph showing the amounts of nitrogen fixed for each of the species in the table

3. Compare the amount of nitrogen fixed for non-irrigated vs partially irrigated faba beans

4. Can you suggest any reason for the answer to question 3?

5. Describe the process that occurs in legumes resulting in the fixation of nitrogen

6. Describe why legumes are a useful plant to be used in crop rotations

 P4

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Rhizobium bacteria are found either in the soil or innoculated on the seeds

when legumes are planted. These bacteria infect the roots of legume plants
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forming swellings known as 'nodules'. This relationship is symbiotic as the

plant provides carbon for the bacteria and the bacteria provides nitrogen

changed from gas form in the atmosphere to a usable form that the plant

can access.

Legumes are useful as part of a rotation as they can be used to replenish

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nitrogen in the soil, whilst other non leguminous plants only take nitrogen

from the soil.

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 P4
Past HSC Questions

5 The photo shows lumps on the root system of a legume plant.

2016 - Q5

What is the most likely effect of these lumps on the growth of the plant?

(A) Increased growth because of increased water uptake

(B) Decreased growth because of the presence of a disease
@ Increased growth because of an increase in available nutrients

(D) Decreased growth because of blockage of the root xylem vessels

5 What is the name of the bacteria responsible for nodule formation on legumes?

(A) Reticulum
2015 - Q5 Rhizobium
(C) Rhizomes
(D) Ribosomes

10 What is the function of root nodules on legume plants?

(A) They contain bacteria which assist in the uptake of water.

(B) They store chemicals which stimulate root growth in the plant.
2014-Q10
(C) They store proteins which the plant can draw upon in times of stress.
TOw They contain bacteria which convert nitrogen gas into nitrogen-containing
compounds.

4
 Past HSC Questions

11 What is the role of Rhizobium bacteria found in root nodules on legume plants?

(A) They provide energy for root growth.

2013-Qll
(B) They provide resistance to plant pathogens.
(C) They assist in absorbing water and plant nutrients.
© They provide an available source of nitrogen to the plant.

8 What name is given to the spherical swellings on the roots of a legume?

^Aj) Nodules
2011-Q8 (B) Rhizomes
(C) Root hairs
(D) Guard cells