NITROGEN FIXATION BY MEMBERS OF THE STICTACEAE (LICHENES) OF NEW ZEALAND

摘要: SUMMARY Forty-four species of New Zealand lichens, including 22 Pseudocyphellaria and seven Sticta, were assayed for nitrogenase activity by acetylene reduction. Nitiogen fixation was confirmed 15N enrichment studies. Ten species, all with green algal phycobionts, showed no detectable activity; the remainder, positively. Fixation rates found to be specific ranging from 0·2 52 nmol g-1 min-1. Nitrogen fixing lichens a range total nitrogen content had greater values than non-fixing species. Further analysis in Sticta plotting graph reduction against highly significant positive relationship; also like chemical strain grouped together, any one solely blue-green phycobionts possessed higher rates. The possibility exists that these could provide input into some native forests Zealand.