Application of stable-isotope labelling techniques for the detection of active diazotrophs.

ABSTRACT: Investigating active participants in the fixation of dinitrogen gas is vital as N is often a limiting factor for primary production. Biological nitrogen fixation is performed by a diverse guild of bacteria and archaea (diazotrophs), which can be free-living or symbionts. Free-living diazotrophs are widely distributed in the environment, yet our knowledge about their identity and ecophysiology is still limited. A major challenge in investigating this guild is inferring activity from genetic data as this process is highly regulated. To address this challenge, we evaluated and improved several ¹⁵ N-based methods for detecting N₂ fixation activity (with a focus on soil samples) and studying active diazotrophs. We compared the acetylene reduction assay and the ¹⁵

SUBMITTER: Angel R 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC5814836 | biostudies-literature | 2018 Jan

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature