Estimated values for the respiration associated with symbiotic nitrogen fixation in Pisum sativum L. were independent of irradiance, temperature, plant age, and CO(2) concentration, despite large variation in the total rates of C(2)H(2) reduction and root + nodule respiration. Similar values were also found in Phaseolus vulgaris L., Vicia faba L. and Glycine max (L.) Merr. Among all combinations of four Pisum cultivars with four Rhizobium leguminosarum inoculants only the plant genotype significantly affected the fixation-linked respiration, although both plant and bacterial types significantly influenced the total rate of C(2)H(2) reduction. On the basis of measured rates of H(2) evolution and C(2)H(2) reduction, or total nitrogen gain in the same system, the least respiration per unit of ammonia produced symbiotically was estimated as 4.8 to 6.9 moles CO(2) (mole NH(3))(-1) in Laxton's Progress and the greatest as 9.3 to 13.3 moles CO(2) (mole NH(3))(-1) in an Indian cultivar, as compared to a theoretical minimum respiration requirement of 4.7 moles CO(2) (mole NH(3))(-1) in peas.