Hi Alejandrs,
Do you use Acetylene reduction assay for nitrogen fixation measurements? If yes, do you think a sensor that can be placed close to the plants or the roots, and can measure Acetylene concentration continuously and sensitively have some advantage over the traditional gas chromatography method?
I made such a sensor in my research project, and am looking for practical applications.
Best regards,
Kingson
Yes, I think it is possible and would be a good approach for monitoring nitrogen fixation in situ. Gas chromatography is very reliable, but limits our ability to perform in site continuous measurements. Even with portable gas chromatographs, samples are taken at intervals. Continuos monitoring can help to better understand inhibition or triggering proceses of microbial activity, opening an opportunity for interesting experiments relating diazotrophic activity. The only thing that would be needed to obtain reliable results with your sensor is the success in isolating the zone of interest to avoid gas leak.
The next paper might be interesting fro your research ideas
http://www.nrcresearchpress.com/doi/abs/10.1139/m95-139#.WZ9aQ5OGMXo
good luck
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