azotobacter

American  

[uh-zoh-tuh-bak-ter, ey-zoh-] / əˈzoʊ təˌbæk tər, eɪˈzoʊ- /

noun

1. any of several rod-shaped or spherical soil bacteria of the genus Azotobacter, important as nitrogen fixers.

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azotobacter British  

/ əˈzəʊtəʊˌbæktə /

noun

1. any bacterium of the family Azotobacteriaceae, important in nitrogen fixation in the soil

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Etymology

Origin of azotobacter

From New Latin, dating back to 1901; azote, -o-, -bacter

Example Sentences

Now one peculiar species of bacteria, azotobacter vinelandii, may render these synthetic nitrogen fertilizers entirely obsolete.

From Salon

Among the organisms induced by these organic matters may be included certain azotobacter species, which contrary to other forms of plant life, have the power of using nitrogen from the air.

From Project Gutenberg

Meanwhile, the activity of the nitrogen-gathering bacteria, like azotobacter, is one of our best explanations of the large presence of nitrogen in cultivated dry-farm soils.

From Project Gutenberg

In recent years it has been found that other forms of bacteria, the best known of which is azotobacter, have the power of gathering nitrogen from the air and combining it for the plant needs without the presence of leguminous plants.

From Project Gutenberg