Using Iron-rich Fertilizer to increase Hemoglobin in

Rhizobium Nodules Danny Muslin

Need

• Approximately 90% of nitrogen that is fixed through natural processes is carried out by free-living bacteria such as Rhizobium

(AG West Biotech)

Model Organisms

• Organisms used will be:

• Soy Bean Plant

• Rhizobium leguminosarum

Nitrogen Cycle

Rhizobium

• Rod shaped Gram -ve bacteria

• Fixes nitrogen after infecting host plants

• Has a mutually beneficial relationship with the host

Rhizobium Nodules

• Inside the nodules is where nitrogen fixation occurs

• Nodules have a finite lifespan.

(in the case of soybean, estimated at 50-60 days )

Hemoglobin

• An iron-containing oxygen-transport metalloprotein

Depiction of hemoglobin in a human adult

Iron Increases hemoglobin Production

• (2008, Ginzburg et al.,) Exogenous iron increases hemoglobin production in beta-thalassemic mice

• (1960, Hammond) Extra iron supplements can be utilized by infants to increase hemoglobin concentration

Chelated Iron

• Iron that has undergone chelation

• Easier for plants to absorb

Method of Testing Hemoglobin in Rhizobium Nodules

• Method used will be:

Cyanmethemoglobin Method for Determining Hemoglobin Concentration  

Do-ability

• Can easily obtain soy beans with the leguminosarum rhizobium

• Can easily buy iron chelated fertilizer

• Have a spectrophotometer in the lab