Soil and plants have a complex relationship based around roots, this added to by a the range of microbes and other organisms that form soil ecosystems. Roots in situ, within the ground, demonstrate this more complex relationship which is in a state of change from soil conditions but mainly the competition between plant species both above and below ground.
This activity is carried out away from the complexities of multiple factors of the busy below soil habitat and allows focus on just 2 interactions between soil bacteria (called Rhizobia sp.) and Red Clover (Trifolium pratense). Clovers and Rhizobia have a symbiotic relationship, which benefits both organisms; the Rhizobia is provided a safe home in which to breed and sugars by the Clover, while the clover receives nitrogen from the Rhizobia which is otherwise scarce as a form which the plant can use but is a by-product of the bacteria’s digestion.
Note: this activity draws on the Cultivating Rhizobia [hyperlink] activity and will need several weeks to complete, this way it is best to be prepared for single events or suited to modular learning, where it can be revisited.
Specific learning outcomes
- Further understanding in regards to symbiotic relationships
- See evidence of the presence of bacteria in soils
- Further understanding of nitrogen cycle and microbial activity within it
Equipment for a group of 5
- Red clover seeds
- Rhizobia containing petri dish
- Compost
- Microwave
- Digital Thermometer
- Glass bowl
- Plant pots x2
- Jar with warm water
- Forceps/butter knife
Preparation
- See Cultivating Rhizobia [hyperlink] to ensure you have rhizobia to begin process
Time
Introduction 5mins
Preparing Rhizobia solution – 10 mins
Allowing Rhizobia to populate water – 2 days
Sterilizing compost – 5 mins
Sowing Clover – 10 mins
Watering/inoculation – 5 mins
Clover growth time- 6 weeks
Examining root nodules- 15 mins.
Background learning needs
- An introduction to the nitrogen cycle
- Understanding of symbiotic relationships
- Understanding of microbial needs and sterilization
Steps
- Place enough soil to fill 2 plant pots with sufficient compost for sowing the Clover into large glass bowl and heat on full for 3 minutes, rest for 3 and the on full for a further 3 minutes. Use a thermometer (digital preferably) to test the centre of the soil, it should be over 60oc.
- Allow the compost to cool and place into 2 plant pots, both of which have been washed remaining soil and rinsed in hot water
- Sow clover in to them and place both in good sunlight and somewhere which is not too cold. Ensure if the plant pots have holes in base, to place in a drip tray. Water them with tap water.
- Add warm water to a jar, make the the water is no warmer than 25oc.
- Remove the lid from the petri dish containing the cultivated Rhizobia, use the forceps of the butter knife to scrape the jelly like white blobs from the surface of the jelly and place what is removed into the water in the jar.
- Place the lid on the jar and shake well, leave the jar lid on as a cover but not fastened down. Place the jar in a dark warm location for ~2 days.
- After this period use this solution to water 1 of the 2 pots of Clover, label the pot as having been inoculated with the Rhizobia solution.
- Continue to water both pots, the non-inoculated one with tap water and the other with a dilution of the Rhizobia solution (~1:10).
- After the growing period of 4-6 weeks, remove the plants that have grown and examine the roots. You should see small white/pink nodules having formed on the roots of the one that was inoculated and an absence of these on the plants which were not inoculated.