TABLE OF CONTENTS 



PART I— PHYSIOLOGY OF NUTRITION 



CHAPTER I 



Assimilation of Carbon and of the Radiant Energy of the Sun by 



Green Plants 



Page 



i. Importance of the assimilation of carbon by green plants i 



2. Exchange of gases 2 



3. Chlorophyll 6 



4. Pigments accompanying chlorophyll I0 



5. Influence of light upon the decomposition of carbonic acid by plants 22 



6. Products of photosynthesis 2 ^ 



7. Assimilation of solar radiant energy by green plants 33 



8. Influence of external and internal conditions upon photosynthesis 35 



9. Nutrition of green plants by organic compounds 37 



Summary 39 



CHAPTER II 



Assimilation of Carbon and of Energy by Plants without Chlorophyll 



1 . General discussion 43 



2. Assimilation of energy from organic compounds by plants without chlorophyll . . 43 



3. Assimilation of energy from inorganic substances by plants without chloropyhll . 48 



4. Distribution of microorganisms in nature 53 



5. Sterilization and disinfection 57 



6. Pure cultures 59 



Summary 62 



CHAPTER III 



Assimilation of Nitrogen 



1 . The nitrogen of the air 64 



2. The nitrogen of the soil °5 



3. Nitrification in soils 67 



4. Circulation of nitrogen in nature 7 2 



5. luxation of atmospheric nitrogen by the Leguminosre 73 



6. Assimilation of atmospheric nitrogen by bacteria 78 



7. Assimilation of nitrogen compounds by lower plants 79 



Summary 79 



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