Effect of some physiological factors on the nitrogenase and hydrogenase of the Azolla-Anabaena Azollae association

Abstract

Nitrogenase (acetylene reducing) activity, nitrogenase-mediated hydrogen evolution and hydrogenase-catalysed hydrogen uptake activity was studied in intact Azolla fronds. Nitrogenase activity was significantly influenced by various physiological parameters. When incubated under light, the rate of H2 evolved by the fronds under anaerobic conditions was significantly higher than that under aerobic condition. H2 uptake was significantly inhibited by both acetylene and carbon monoxide incubations. © 1990.