Phenotypic studies, as well as the reaction of Paenibacillus durum genomic DNA with a 16S ribosomal DNA (sequence of variable regions V1 to V4)-based Paenibacillus azotofixans-specific PCR system and oligonucleotide probe, the presence of sequences homologous to Klebsiella pneumoniae nifKDH in both P. durum and P. azotofixans, and the results of DNA-DNA hybridization experiments performed with the P. durum and P.azotofixans type strains and one additional P. durum strain, showed that these two species form a homogeneous group. In addition, evidence was found for the presence of nif genes in P. durum, and P. durum was shown to fix atmospheric nitrogen. Therefore, the names P. durum and P. azotofixans should be considered synonyms. As P. durum was capable of fixing nitrogen and fixation without inhibition by nitrate is a major characteristic of the group, we propose that P. durum be included in the species P. azotofixans.