1. Rhizobia [Singular – Rhizobium) are rod¬shaped, motile, aerobic, gram negative, non- spore forming, nitrogen-fixing bacteria.
2. They contain Nod genes and Nif genes.
3. They live in symbiotic association with leguminous roots.
4. They form nodule on the roots of leguminous plants and multiply inside the nodule.
5. Nodules are the site of nitrogen fixation. They are pink in colour and contain enzyme nitrogenase and oxygen scavenger leghaemoglobin.
6. Rhizobia fix atmospheric nitrogen into organic forms, which can be used by plants as nutrients. The host plant in return provides food and water to the bacterium (Rhizobia).
7. Rhizobia are host specific e.g. leguminosarum is specific to pea R. phaseoli is specific to beans.
8. In a laboratory, pure cultures of specific Rhizobium species are raised which are used for the preparation of biofertilizer.
