What role do rhizobia play in the growth of legumes?

Rhizobia are a group of bacteria that have a symbiotic relationship with legumes, playing a crucial role in their growth by enabling nitrogen fixation. This process allows rhizobia to convert atmospheric nitrogen, which is inaccessible to most plants, into a form that legumes can utilize. Once rhizobia infect the root hairs of leguminous plants, they form nodules where this nitrogen fixation occurs. This not only provides the legumes with the essential nutrient nitrogen, enhancing their growth and productivity, but it also improves soil fertility when these plants die and decompose, thus benefiting future crops as well. Understanding the role of rhizobia is fundamental in agriculture and environmental management, especially in sustainable practices that promote biodiversity and soil health.