Clover and nitrogen fixation

In this activity, students observe the colour inside the root nodules of clover (or other legume) to see if they are fixing nitrogen.

Clover nodules

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A split clover nodule showing a reddish–pink colour inside – indicating nitrogen fixation is taking place.

Rights: Jim Deacon, Institute of Cell and Molecular Biology, The University of Edinburgh.

By the end of this activity, students should be able to:

• explain nitrogen fixation

• explain how clover and other legumes fix nitrogen

• demonstrate whether a legume is fixing nitrogen or not.

Download the Word file (see link below) for:

• introduction/background notes

• what you need

• what to do

• student handout.