New and modified techniques for studying nitrogen-fixing bacteria in small mammal droppings.

C.Y. Li; Chris Maser

doi:10.2737/PNW-RN-441

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New and modified techniques for studying nitrogen-fixing bacteria in small mammal droppings.

Informally Refereed

Authors:

C.Y. Li, Chris Maser

Year:

1986

Type:

Research Note

Station:

Pacific Northwest Research Station

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.2737/PNW-RN-441

Source:

Res. Note PNW-RN-441. Portland, OR: U.S. Department of Agriculture, Forest Service, Pacific Northwest Research Station. 4 p

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Abstract

Nitrogen-fixing bacteria in small mammal droppings are potentially important to forest productivity. As we study this phenomenon, however, we continually find unknowns, such as bacteria that we cannot isolate and purify because we do not know which techniques to use. For example, we have recently observed acetylene reduction in the droppings of the tundra vole (Microtus oeconomus) from St. Lawrence Island, Alaska, but we have failed three times to isolate the responsible bacterium. We hope this note will help stimulate parallel research on use of techniques under various circumstances.

Keywords

Laboratory methods, nitrogen-fixing bacteria, mammals (land)

Citation

Li, C.Y.; Maser, Chris. 1986. New and modified techniques for studying nitrogen-fixing bacteria in small mammal droppings. Res. Note PNW-RN-441. Portland, OR: U.S. Department of Agriculture, Forest Service, Pacific Northwest Research Station. 4 p