Question

Difficulty: EasyPlant Science and Agricultural Technology

Match the bio-fertilizers and beneficial microorganisms listed in List-I with their primary agricultural roles or host associations listed in List-II.

  • AzotobacterFree-living nitrogen-fixing bacterium for non-leguminous crops
  • RhizobiumSymbiotic nitrogen fixer in legume root nodules
  • Anabaena azollaeCyanobacterial symbiont used as bio-fertilizer in rice paddies
  • MycorrhizaFungal association enhancing plant phosphorus absorption

Answer

Azotobacter matches with free-living nitrogen-fixing bacterium for non-leguminous crops; Rhizobium matches with symbiotic nitrogen fixer in legume root nodules; Anabaena azollae matches with cyanobacterial symbiont used in rice paddies; and Mycorrhiza matches with fungal association enhancing phosphorus absorption.
Each microorganism corresponds to its primary function in plant nutrition and crop management: Azotobacter fixes nitrogen freely in non-legume soils, Rhizobium forms symbiotic nodules in legumes, Anabaena azollae enriches nitrogen in paddy fields via water fern symbiosis, and Mycorrhiza boosts plant phosphorus absorption.

Step-by-Step Solution

1
Identify the nitrogen-fixing bacteria based on host specificity and habitat.
Rhizobium specifically infects leguminous roots forming nodules, while Azotobacter lives freely in soil around non-legume crops.
Differentiating symbiotic legume fixers from free-living non-legumes is key to matching nitrogen-fixing bacteria.
2
Identify the aquatic bio-fertilizer agent.
Anabaena azollae works symbiotically with Azolla fern in flooded paddy fields to supply bio-available nitrogen.
Azolla-Anabaena system is a classic bio-fertilizer combination for wetland rice agriculture.
3
Identify nutrient absorption fungi.
Mycorrhiza expands root surface area primarily for phosphorus transport.
Mycorrhizae specialize in solubilization and mobilization of immobile soil phosphorus.

Key Concept

Bio-fertilizers and Microorganisms in Sustainable Agriculture
Rate this question