What is the Difference Between Symbiotic and Nonsymbiotic Nitrogen Fixation?
🆚 Go to Comparative Table 🆚The main difference between symbiotic and nonsymbiotic nitrogen fixation lies in the relationship between the nitrogen-fixing bacteria and the host plant or the absence thereof. Here are the key differences:
- Symbiotic Nitrogen Fixation:
- Occurs in plants that carry nitrogen-fixing bacteria within them, such as Rhizobium bacteria and leguminous plants.
- The bacteria fix nitrogen effectively only when they are symbiotic with plants.
- The process is beneficial to both the bacteria and the host plant, as it provides nitrogen for the plant's growth and a suitable environment for the bacteria.
- Nonsymbiotic Nitrogen Fixation:
- Free-living nitrogen-fixing bacteria carry out nonsymbiotic nitrogen fixation.
- These bacteria do not require a host plant and can fix nitrogen independently in the soil.
- Examples of aerobic, free-living bacteria include Azotobacter chroococcum, Azotobacter, and Beijerinckia.
In summary, symbiotic nitrogen fixation involves nitrogen-fixing bacteria that live in symbiosis with plants, while nonsymbiotic nitrogen fixation is performed by free-living bacteria in the soil. Symbiotic nitrogen fixation fixes nitrogen for its host, whereas nonsymbiotic nitrogen fixation makes nitrogen available for other plants and organisms in the soil.
Comparative Table: Symbiotic vs Nonsymbiotic Nitrogen Fixation
Symbiotic and nonsymbiotic nitrogen fixation are two different types of biological nitrogen fixation processes regulated by different bacteria. Here is a table comparing the key differences between them:
Symbiotic Nitrogen Fixation | Nonsymbiotic Nitrogen Fixation |
---|---|
Carried out by symbiotic bacteria living in root nodules of plants | Carried out by free-living nitrogen-fixing bacteria in the soil |
Bacteria maintain a mutualistic relationship with plants | Bacteria do not have a mutualistic relationship with plants |
Examples of symbiotic nitrogen-fixing bacteria include Rhizobium species | Examples of nonsymbiotic nitrogen-fixing bacteria include Clostridium pasteurianum (anaerobic) and Azotobacter chroococcum (aerobic) |
Nitrogen fixation occurs within the root nodules of plants | Nitrogen fixation occurs outside of plant roots in the soil |
Nitrogen is fixed for its host plant | Nitrogen is made available in the soil for various plants |
Both symbiotic and nonsymbiotic nitrogen fixation processes convert atmospheric nitrogen (N2) into soluble nitrogen compounds, such as nitrates, nitrites, and ammonia, which are essential for plant growth.
- Nitrogen Fixation vs Nitrification
- Nitrogen-fixing Bacteria vs Denitrifying Bacteria
- Saprophytic vs Symbiotic Plants
- Symbiosis vs Mutualism
- Insectivorous vs Symbiotic Plants
- Nitrifying vs Denitrifying Bacteria
- Nitrification vs Denitrification
- Nitrogen Cycle vs Carbon Cycle
- Organic vs Inorganic Nitrogen
- Azotobacter vs Rhizobium
- Root Nodules vs Mycorrhizae
- Methanogens vs Methanotrophs
- Endosymbiosis vs Symbiosis
- Photosynthetic vs Chemosynthetic Bacteria
- Bradyrhizobium vs Rhizobium
- Nitrosomonas vs Nitrobacter
- Ammonia vs Ammoniacal Nitrogen
- Endosymbiont vs Endophyte
- Saprozoic vs Saprophytic Nutrition