Nitrogen - fixation plantsspan a encompassing ambit of ecosystems and uses , from reforestation and agroforestry to ornamental gardening and agriculture . These plant have the singular ability to convert atmospherical nitrogen , which is not instantly usable by most plants , into a form that can be assimilated into works tissues . This process is scream nitrogen fixation and is essential for plant growth and overall ecosystem health . The process of atomic number 7 fixation involves a symbiotic relationship between sure plants and bacterium . These bacterium , often go to the genusRhizobium , reside within nodules on the roots of the plants . The bacterium own the necessary enzyme to convert atmospherical nitrogen ( N2 ) into ammonia ( NH3 ) , which is then used by the plant for growth and development .
The list of nitrogen - fixing plants for agriculture is quite versatile and admit , among others : Beans : fava ( aka faba , broad ) , Medicago sativa , unripened ( aka French ) , runner , discipline , sweet , peanuts ( aka groundnuts ) , soybeans , cream , pitch-black - eyed , or violet - hulled beans , lupins , Lens culinaris , cowpeas , garbanzo .
mathematical group of Nitrogen - Fixing works
Legumes : The most well - eff group of nitrogen - repair plants is the legume family ( Fabaceae ) , which include plants such as beans , peas , lentils , soy , alfalfa , and trefoil . These plants form a symbiotic relationship withRhizobiumbacteria .
Actinorhizal plant : Another group of nitrogen - fixing plants includes alder , casuarina , and some other woody plants . These plant form symbiotic relationships with bacterium belong to the genusFrankia .
Benefits of Nitrogen - Fixing plant
Nitrogen-Fixing Trees
Black Locust ( Robinia pseudoacacia )
Alder ( Alnus spp . )
Acacia ( Acacia spp . )
Honey Locust ( Gleditsia triacanthos )
Mimosa ( Albizia julibrissin )
Indian Beech ( Pongamia pinnata )
Leucaena ( Leucaena leucocephala )
Mesquite ( Prosopis spp . )
Carob ( Ceratonia siliqua )
Gliricidia ( Gliricidia sepium )
Cassia ( Senna spp . )
Calliandra ( Calliandra spp . )
Coral Tree ( Erythrina spp . )
Parkinsonia ( Parkinsonia aculeata )
Flame Tree ( Delonix regia )
Albizia ( Albizia spp . )
Moringa ( Moringa oleifera )
Tamarind ( Tamarindus indica )
Sesbania grandiflora ( Agati )
Koa Tree ( Acacia koa )
Australian Blackwood ( Acacia melanoxylon )
Redbud ( Cercis spp . )
Nitrogen-Fixing Shrubs
Siberian Peashrub ( Caragana arborescens )
Sea Buckthorn ( Hippophae rhamnoides )
Elaeagnus ( Elaeagnus spp . )
Clover ( Trifolium spp . )
Broom ( Cytisus scoparius )
Peanut Plant ( Arachis pintoi )
Buffalo Berry ( Shepherdia argentea )
Sesbania ( Sesbania sesban )
Gorse ( Ulex europaeus )
Guaje ( Leucaena esculenta )
Mountain Mahogany ( Cercocarpus spp . )
Firecracker Plant ( Calliandra californica )
Cajanus ( Cajanus cajan )
Tephrosia ( Tephrosia spp . )
Tagasaste ( Cytisus proliferus )
Groundnut ( Apios americana )
Rattlebox ( Crotalaria spp . )
Manuka ( Leptospermum scoparium )
Nitrogen-Fixing Flowers & Herbaceous Plants
Lupine ( Lupinus spp . )
Vetch ( Vicia spp . )
Bird ’s Foot Trefoil ( Lotus corniculatus )
Alfalfa ( Medicago sativa )
Cowpea ( Vigna unguiculata )
Indigo ( Indigofera spp . )
Crotalaria juncea ( Sunn Hemp )
Faba Bean ( Vicia faba )
Bush Clover ( Lespedeza spp . )
Creeping Indigo ( Indigofera spicata )
Soybean ( Glycine max )
Peas ( Pisum sativum )