DOI: 10.36347/sjavs.2015.v02i04.014

Pages: 337-342

This study investigates the relationship between leghaemoglobin concentration and ureide biosynthesis in root nodules of two leguminous cover crops, Pueraria phaseoloides and Mimosa invisa, collected from different locations in Kerala, India. Leghaemoglobin concentrations ranged from 0.0040 mM to 0.0232 mM in Mimosa invisa and 0.0063 mM to 0.0217 mM in Pueraria phaseoloides. Ureide content varied from 183 µg to 656 µg in Mimosa invisa and 291.85 µg to 523.84 µg in Pueraria phaseoloides. Correlation analysis revealed a positive correlation between leghaemoglobin concentration and ureide synthesis (γ = +0.83 for Pueraria phaseoloides s and γ = +0.38 for Mimosa invisa), indicating leghaemoglobin's crucial role in symbiotic nitrogen fixation. Pueraria phaseoloides exhibited higher average ureide synthesis, potentially contributing to its biomass accumulation. Results suggest leghaemoglobin concentration is directly related to nitrogen fixation ability, supporting findings that plant haemoglobins are vital for symbiotic nitrogen fixation. The study underscores the importance of leghaemoglobin in nitrogen metabolism and highlights species-specific differences in ureide production and nitrogen fixation capacities.