Question:

Free living microbes in soil but as symbionts fix atmospheric nitrogen are

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Rhizobium forms nodules in legumes, whereas Frankia forms nodules in several non-leguminous plants. Both are famous symbiotic nitrogen fixers.
Updated On: Jun 12, 2026
  • Rhizobium and Azotobacter
  • Oscillatoria and Frankia
  • Trichoderma and Azospirillum
  • Rhizobium and Frankia
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The Correct Option is D

Solution and Explanation

Concept: Biological nitrogen fixation converts atmospheric nitrogen into ammonia with the help of certain microorganisms. Nitrogen-fixing organisms may be:
• Free-living
• Symbiotic Some microorganisms are capable of existing freely in soil but perform nitrogen fixation mainly in association with plants.

Step 1: Understand Rhizobium.
Rhizobium is a bacterium that forms root nodules in leguminous plants. Within these nodules it fixes atmospheric nitrogen. Although it can survive in soil, efficient nitrogen fixation occurs in symbiosis.

Step 2: Understand Frankia.
Frankia is an actinomycete associated with roots of non-leguminous plants such as Alnus and Casuarina. It also fixes atmospheric nitrogen in a symbiotic relationship.

Step 3: Examine other organisms.
Azotobacter is primarily a free-living nitrogen fixer. Oscillatoria generally does not represent the classic symbiotic nitrogen-fixing association asked here. Trichoderma acts mainly as a biocontrol agent. Azospirillum is a free-living or associative nitrogen fixer.

Step 4: Final conclusion.
The microorganisms that live freely in soil but fix nitrogen as symbionts are: \[ \boxed{\text{Rhizobium and Frankia}} \] Hence option (D) is correct.
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