Legume bacteria fixes nitrogen, reduces need for fertilizer

A new discovery that leguminous plants fix nitrogen by controlling bacteria with protein signals suggests a natural way to add nutrients to soils. Improving nitrogen fixation in crops will reduce the amount of chemical fertilizer needed to improve growth.

The bacteria is only found in legumes such as peas, alfalfa, clover and beans, where nitrogen is removed from air and soil and turned into ammonia for food. All other crops must derive nutrients from taking up fixed nitrogen in soils, which is possible with fertilizer use.

The finding indicates an alternative to fertilizers that harm the environment and push costs onto farmers. According to the USDA, nitrogen fertilizer use has quadrupled since the 1960s, along with the price per ton of fertilizer.

Full story: Science Daily