Aphids and melezitose: a test of Owen's 1978 hypothesis [soil non-symbiotic nitrogen fixation, honeydew, fructose, glucose, sucrose]
1980
Petelle, M. (Georgia Univ., Athens (USA). Inst. of Ecology)
It has been suggested that aphids specifically synthesize melezitose in their guts so that when it is excreted onto the soil it will stimulate soil non-symbiotic nitrogen fixation. A test of this hypothesis indicates that melezitose does increase soil nitrogen fixation, but not as much as fructose, another honeydew sugar. It appears that melezitose is produced for other reasons, perhaps to prevent excess sugar absorption across the aphid gut wall. The significance of fructose in fruits is indicated.
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