Similarities Between Azotobacter and Azospirillum
Apart from differences, there are some similarities between these two species of bacteria. These similarities are summarised below:
- Both of these genera are diazotrophs.
- Both are gram-negative bacteria.
- They both can form resistant cysts under extreme environmental conditions.
- They improve soil fertility.
- They both are used in biofertilizers.
- Both were first described by Dutch microbiologist Martinus Beijerinck.
Difference between Azotobacter and Azospirillum
The main difference between Azotobacter and Azospirillum lies in the way these nitrogen fixers are found in nature. The Azotobacter species are non-symbiotic nitrogen-fixing bacteria, whereas the Azospirillum species are associative rhizobacteria that fix nitrogen. Azotobacter are aerobic, free-living species. They are widely distributed in soils and waters. On the contrary, Azospirillum spp. are microaerophilic and often found in a beneficial association with plants.
They are present either in the rhizospheres or the roots of important crop plants. Both of them are diazotrophs, meaning they are capable of biological nitrogen fixation (BNF). In this article, we will look into the differences between Azotobacter and Azospirillum in detail.
Table of Content
- Difference Between Azotobacter and Azospirillum
- What is Azotobacter?
- What is Azospirillum?
- Similarities Between Azotobacter and Azospirillum
- Usage of Azotobacter and Azospirillum
- Conclusion – Difference between Azotobacter and Azospirillum
- FAQs on Difference between Azotobacter and Azospirillum
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