What is the important for knowing the diversity of nitrogen fixation gene?
This subject falls on the interface between molecular biology and ecology. The analysis of nifH sequences in the soil sample provides a snapshot of the range and quantity of the diverse range of nitrogen-fixing bacteria present. It is very likely that this nifH profile will differ considerably among different soil-plant communities. In agricultural situations it could provide a management tool. Different species and even subspecies can exhibit strict preferences for bacterial strains (usually in the genus Rhizobium). Thus an analysis of the nifH composition could indicate the potential of the bacterial population to support nitrogen fixation by the crop and therefore the yield potential. If the profile is not optimal then it could be possible to alter the bacterial population by introduction of proper strains known to improve the nitrogen fixation rate.
