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. 1980 Jun;6(2):109-13.
doi: 10.1007/BF02010549.

Effects of desiccation and rehydration on nitrogen fixation by epiphylls in a tropical rainforest

B L Bentley  1 , E J Carpenter
Affiliations

Effects of desiccation and rehydration on nitrogen fixation by epiphylls in a tropical rainforest

B L Bentley et al. Microb Ecol. 1980 Jun.

Abstract

Nitrogen fixation rates by epiphyllous microorganisms are affected by desiccation. Rates from leaf samples which had been dried for 12 h were 0.66 ng N/10 cm(2)/h. In contrast, rates from leaves which had been kept continuously wet were 18.69 ng N/10 cm(2)/h. Leaf samples which had been rehydrated for 2 and 4 h showed intermediate fixation rates (4.26 and 9.76 ng N/10 cm(2)/h, respectively). Epiphyllous bryophytes maintain moist conditions on the leaf surface and thus create a microenvironment suitable for prolonged fixation by the microorganisms.

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References

    1. Microb Ecol. 1980 Jun;6(2):109-13 - PubMed
    1. Methods Enzymol. 1972;24:415-31 - PubMed
    1. Appl Microbiol. 1974 Apr;27(4):662-5 - PubMed