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Minimum Phosphate and Magnesium Requirements of Nitrifying Bacteria

Abstract

THE nutrient requirements of the autotrophic nitrifying bacteria are simple, but among the elements which seem to be essential for them are phosphorus and magnesium. Bömeke1 reported that Nitrobacter would not grow in media from which either phosphate or magnesium was omitted; and Nitrosomonas would not grow in medium with magnesium omitted. Wimmer2 found that phosphate was necessary for the growth of both organisms, but the minimum requirement was only 0.02 mgm. phosphorus per litre for both Nitrobacter and Nitrosomonas.

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References

  1. Bömeke, H., Arch. Mikrobiol., 14, 63 (1949).

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  2. Wimmer, G., Z. Hyg., 48, 135 (1904).

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  3. Jensen, H. L., Nature, 165, 974 (1950).

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  4. Meiklejohn, J., J. Gen. Microbiol. (in the press).

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MEIKLEJOHN, J. Minimum Phosphate and Magnesium Requirements of Nitrifying Bacteria. Nature 170, 1131 (1952). https://doi.org/10.1038/1701131a0

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