ABSTRACT. Azotobacter chroococcum was isolated from straw-amended soil and found to utilize 4-hydroxybenzoic acid, resorcinol,
pyrocatechol and vanillic acid as sole carbon source. Growth and nitrogenase activity ofA. chroococcum were supported
by 8, 6 and 4 mmol/L of 4-hydroxybeazoie acid, rcsorcinoi and pyrocatechol, respectively, The generation time of 1.71 h in
4-hydroxybenzoie acid did not significantly differ from the generation time of 1.64 h, observed when grown in mannitol.
4-Hydroxybenzoic acid was utilized rapidly. However, the decomposition of other tested phenolic compounds set in only slowly.
It was concluded that this isolate has good potential to utilize some phenolic compounds released during biodegradation of
plant wastes