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Nitrogen Fixing Bacteria

Rhizobia nodules
Rhizobia, a type of root -- colonizing bacteria that supply nitrogen to legumes, reside in protective nodules formed by the plant. The bright red color of the opened nodule is an indication of healthy rhizobia inside.

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soy/aphid/nodule collage
Soybean plants interact with many different organisms in the field. Soybean aphids (upper inset) are invasive insect pests of the above ground portion of the plant, while nitrogen-fixing bacteria (lower inset) colonize the roots inside nodules and provide the plant with much needed nitrogen

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Soybean Aphid
Soybean aphids are a recently introduced pest to the U.S., causing yield losses and increased insecticide sprays. The aphids feed on the sap of soybean plants.

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Soybean Field
Soybean field at the Penn State Russell E. Larson Agricultural Research farm at Rock Springs, Pa.

IMAGE: Penn State