Growing cereal crops with less fertilizer

[Judi Lynn]

Discovery could reduce nitrogen pollution, save farmers billions
Date:
August 7, 2022
Source:
University of California - Davis

Researchers at the University of California, Davis, have found a way to reduce the amount of nitrogen fertilizers needed to grow cereal crops. The discovery could save farmers in the United States billions of dollars annually in fertilizer costs while also benefiting the environment.

The research comes out of the lab of Eduardo Blumwald, a distinguished professor of plant sciences, who has found a new pathway for cereals to capture the nitrogen they need to grow.

The discovery could also help the environment by reducing nitrogen pollution, which can lead to contaminated water resources, increased greenhouse gas emissions and human health issues. The study was published in the journal Plant Biotechnology.

Nitrogen is key to plant growth, and agricultural operations depend on chemical fertilizers to increase productivity. But much of what is applied is lost, leaching into soils and groundwater. Blumwald's research could create a sustainable alternative.

More:
https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2022/08/220807102041.htm

[Red Pest]

1. Interesting that the investigators manipulate flavone production by the plants to induce N2-fixation

Legumes produce flavones that attract symbiotic N2-fixing bacteria (Rhizomium, Bradyrhizobium, etc.) to attach to root hairs and begin root nodule formation, leading to N2-fixation. This suggests that a variety of N2-fixing soil bacteria respond to similar chemical clues. The data in the paper by Yan et al. certainly demonstrate this. Very nice showing that even in rice, the plants can attract and induce N2-fixing bacteria.

[Phoenix61]

2. Very cool.

Fertilizer runoff is a huge contributor to the dead zone in the Gulf of Mexico.