what does nitrogen fixing bacteria do
Other plants benefit from N-fixing bacteria when the bacteria die and release nitrogen to the environment, or when the bacteria live in close association with the plant. In legumes and a few other plants, the bacteria live in small growths on the roots called nodules. Within these nodules, nitrogen fixation is done by the bacteria, and the NH 3 they produce is absorbed by the plant. Nitrogen fixation by legumes is a partnership between a bacterium and a plant.