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GATE 2024 ES – Question 16

Environmental Microbiology · Microbial Metabolism · 1 mark · Multiple choice

Which conversion is nonsymbiotic nitrogen fixation?

  1. Atmospheric N₂ to ammonia by Rhizobium in legume root nodules
  2. Atmospheric N₂ to ammonia by Azotobacter
  3. Nitrate to gaseous nitrogen anaerobically
  4. Nitrate to ammonia aerobically

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Correct answer: (B) Atmospheric N₂ to ammonia by Azotobacter

Explanation

Free-living Azotobacter fixes atmospheric nitrogen without a legume-nodule symbiosis, so **B**. Rhizobium in nodules is symbiotic fixation. Nitrate-to-N₂ is denitrification, and nitrate-to-ammonia is nitrate reduction rather than fixation of atmospheric N₂.

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