AZOTOBACTER Meaning and
Definition
-
Azotobacter is a noun that refers to a genus of bacteria that belong to the family Pseudomonadaceae. These bacteria are known for their ability to fix atmospheric nitrogen into a form that is readily available to plants. The word "Azotobacter" is derived from the Greek words "azotos," meaning nitrogen, and "bakterion," meaning small rod, highlighting the bacteria's capacity to fix nitrogen.
Species belonging to the Azotobacter genus are typically characterized by their ability to form thick-walled cysts (resting cells) during adverse conditions. These cysts protect the bacteria from desiccation, temperature extremes, and nutrient scarcity, allowing them to survive in various environments, including soil, water, and rhizospheres.
Azotobacter species are often found as free-living organisms in soil and are recognized as significant contributors to the nitrogen cycle. Through the process of nitrogen fixation, they convert nitrogen gas (N2) from the air into ammonia (NH3), which plants can then utilize. This ammonia is subsequently converted into different forms of nitrogen that can be easily absorbed by plants, promoting their growth and development.
In addition to their nitrogen-fixing abilities, some Azotobacter species also release growth-promoting substances like indole acetic acid (IAA), which aids in root development and nutrient absorption. These bacteria have garnered agricultural importance due to their potential to enhance plant growth and reduce the dependence on synthetic nitrogen fertilizers, thereby contributing to sustainable agricultural practices.
Overall, Azotobacter is a genus of bacteria recognized for their nitrogen-fixing abilities and their significance in the natural nitrogen cycle and agricultural systems.
Common Misspellings for AZOTOBACTER
- zzotobacter
- szotobacter
- wzotobacter
- qzotobacter
- axotobacter
- asotobacter
- aaotobacter
- azitobacter
- azktobacter
- azltobacter
- azptobacter
- az0tobacter
- az9tobacter
- azorobacter
- azofobacter
- azogobacter
- azoyobacter
- azo6obacter
- azo5obacter
- azotibacter
Etymology of AZOTOBACTER
The word Azotobacter has its origins in the Greek language. It is derived from the combination of two Greek words: azotos meaning nitrogen and bakterion meaning small staff or rod.
The azotos part is derived from the Greek word azotein, which means to live or exist without life or food. This refers to azotobacteria's ability to fix atmospheric nitrogen gas into a usable form for plants without needing organic sources of nitrogen.
The bakterion part refers to the bacteria's rod-like or stick-shaped appearance under a microscope.
Thus, the word Azotobacter can be roughly translated to mean nitrogen-fixing rod or nitrogen-fixing bacteria.
Infographic
Add the infographic to your website:
