Azotobacter

Azotobacter (/əˈzoʊtəˌbæktər/) is a genus of usually motile, oval or spherical bacteria that form thick-walled cysts and may produce large quantities of capsular slime. They are aerobic, free-living soil microbes which play an important role in the nitrogen cycle in nature, binding atmospheric nitrogen, which is inaccessible to plants, and releasing it in the form of ammonium ions into the soil (nitrogen fixation).

Etymology

The name Azotobacter is derived from the Greek words azote (ἀ-ζωτικός) meaning "lifeless" or "unable to support life", and bacter (βακτήριον) meaning "small rod". This refers to the organism's ability to fix atmospheric nitrogen into a form that other organisms can use.

Species

There are several species of Azotobacter, including Azotobacter vinelandii, Azotobacter chroococcum, Azotobacter beijerinckii, and Azotobacter nigricans.

Role in Nitrogen Cycle

Azotobacter plays a significant role in the Nitrogen cycle. It is capable of fixing atmospheric nitrogen into a form that plants can use. This process is known as Nitrogen fixation.

Related Terms

• Nitrogen fixation
• Nitrogen cycle
• Azotobacter vinelandii
• Azotobacter chroococcum
• Azotobacter beijerinckii
• Azotobacter nigricans

See Also

• Bacteria
• Microbiology
• Soil microbiology

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