Bradyrhizobium japonicum USDA 143 grew chemoorganotrophically when supplied with exogenous nitrous oxide as the terminal electron acceptor, or as the alternate terminal electron acceptor to nitrate under anoxic conditions. Cell growth and dissimilatory N₂O reduction were significantly inhibited by acetylene when either N₂O or N₂O plus nitrate served as terminal electron acceptor(s). Reduction of nitrous oxide accounted for 20% of the energy for cell growth in cultures supplied with nitrate as the terminal electron acceptor. Nitrous oxide was produced stoichiometrically in cultures supplied with nitrate and acetylene and growth was proportionately reduced compared to cultures supplied with an equal amount of nitrate. Exogenous nitrous oxide delayed the reduction of nitrate in cultures supplied with both electron acceptors. The final cell yield and/or growth rate of the cells were reduced when N₂O was ≥ 15% of the culture flask headspace. Direct amperometric monitoring of nitrous oxide respiration indicated a specific activity of 0.082 ± 0.004 µmoles N₂O/min/mg cell-protein. The respiration was inhibited by azide.

A Clark-type electrode with a platinum cathode, and the instrumentation for monitoring hydrogen uptake amperometrically were used to monitor the reduction of N₂O during anaerobic respiration.