Most species of legumes (alfalfa, lentils, beans, chickpeas, peas, peanuts) and bacteria have a symbiotic relationship. A symbiotic relationship is one in which two species benefit each other. The roots of most of these plants have a nitrogen-fixing bacteria, rhizobium, that changes nitrogen in the air into the nitrates the plants need to synthesize proteins.
Most legumes, like this garden pea, have special bacteria called Rhizobium living in their roots. These bacteria take nitrogen from the air and change it into a form the plant can use, called nitrates. The plant then uses these nitrates to make proteins, which help it grow.
Rhizobium bacteria invade the root hairs of the plants. They multiply and help root nodules grow! Then the bacteria change free nitrogen, or the nitrogen from the air, to nitrates. Species in this order leave some of the nitrates in the soil, which can help other plants grow.
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