Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jul 28, 2025
08:56
Transient Expression in Nicotiana Benthamiana Leaves for Triterpene Production at a Preparative Scale
Published on: August 16, 2018
17.4K
Harnessing biological nitrogen fixation in plant leaves
Yong-Guan Zhu1, Jingjing Peng2, Cai Chen3
1State Key Laboratory of Urban and Regional Ecology, Research Centre for Eco-Environmental Sciences, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100085, China; Key Laboratory of Urban Environment and Health, Institute of Urban Environment, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Xiamen, 361021, China.
Trends in Plant Science
|June 3, 2023
Summary
Biological nitrogen fixation (BNF) on leaf surfaces significantly boosts plant growth and global nitrogen cycling. Harnessing phyllosphere microbes offers a sustainable strategy for enhancing food production with reduced environmental impact.
Area of Science:
- Microbiology
- Plant Science
- Environmental Science
Background:
- Biological nitrogen fixation (BNF) is crucial for sustainable agriculture and global nitrogen cycling.
- Leaf surfaces (phyllosphere) host diverse nitrogen-fixing microbes (N2-fixers).
- These microbes contribute significantly to plant nitrogen supply and growth.
Purpose of the Study:
- To summarize the role of phyllosphere-BNF in global nitrogen cycling.
- To evaluate the diversity of leaf-associated N2-fixers.
- To identify ecological adaptations and environmental drivers of phyllosphere-BNF.
- To discuss strategies for engineering BNF for sustainable food production.
Main Methods:
- Literature review and synthesis of existing research on phyllosphere-BNF.
- Analysis of microbial diversity across various plant hosts and ecosystems.
- Evaluation of ecological adaptations and environmental factors influencing BNF.
- Discussion of potential engineering strategies.
Main Results:
- Phyllosphere-BNF plays a significant role in global nitrogen cycling.
- Diverse free-living N2-fixers inhabit leaf surfaces, both epiphytically and endophytically.
- Specific ecological adaptations enable N2-fixers to thrive in the phyllosphere.
- Environmental factors critically influence the rate and extent of BNF.
Conclusions:
- Phyllosphere-BNF is a vital contributor to plant nutrition and global nitrogen cycles.
- Understanding the diversity and adaptations of leaf-associated N2-fixers is key.
- Engineering phyllosphere-BNF holds promise for enhancing nitrogen uptake and promoting sustainable agriculture.
More Related Videos
Related Concept Videos
01:20Overview of Nitrogen Metabolism
8.2K
Nitrogen is a very important element for life because it is a major constituent of proteins and nucleic acids. It is a macronutrient, and in nature, it is recycled from organic compounds and stored in the form of ammonia, ammonium ions, nitrate, nitrite, or nitrogen gas by many metabolic processes. Many of these metabolic processes are carried out only by prokaryotes.
The largest pool of nitrogen available in the terrestrial ecosystem is gaseous nitrogen (N2) from the air, but this...
The largest pool of nitrogen available in the terrestrial ecosystem is gaseous nitrogen (N2) from the air, but this...
8.2K
01:22Inorganic Nitrogen Assimilation
49
Nitrogen is an essential element in biological systems, forming a crucial component of proteins, nucleic acids, and other cellular constituents. Many bacteria and archaea acquire nitrogen in the form of nitrate (NO₃⁻) or ammonia (NH₃), which are then assimilated into biomolecules through specific enzymatic pathways.Assimilatory Nitrate ReductionWhen nitrate enters the cell, it undergoes a two-step reduction process known as assimilatory nitrate reduction. Initially, the enzyme...
49
02:11The Roles of Bacteria and Fungi in Plant Nutrition
36.3K
Plants have the impressive ability to create their own food through photosynthesis. However, plants often require assistance from organisms in the soil to acquire the nutrients they need to function correctly. Both bacteria and fungi have evolved symbiotic relationships with plants that help the species to thrive in a wide variety of environments.
36.3K
02:35Key Elements for Plant Nutrition
18.9K
Like all living organisms, plants require organic and inorganic nutrients to survive, reproduce, grow and maintain homeostasis. To identify nutrients that are essential for plant functioning, researchers have leveraged a technique called hydroponics. In hydroponic culture systems, plants are grown—without soil—in water-based solutions containing nutrients. At least 17 nutrients have been identified as essential elements required by plants. Plants acquire these elements from the...
18.9K
01:40Overview of Metabolism
31.4K
Living cells constantly carry out various chemical reactions which are necessary for their proper functioning. These reactions are interlinked to one another via multiple pathways. The collection of these chemical reactions is known as metabolism.
Plant Metabolism
Sunlight, the primary source of energy in plants, is first absorbed by the chlorophyll pigments present in their leaves. Plants then use this energy to carry out photosynthesis, where water is oxidized into oxygen and carbon dioxide...
Plant Metabolism
Sunlight, the primary source of energy in plants, is first absorbed by the chlorophyll pigments present in their leaves. Plants then use this energy to carry out photosynthesis, where water is oxidized into oxygen and carbon dioxide...
31.4K
01:28Carbon-dioxide Fixation
43
Carbon dioxide fixation in prokaryotes enables the assimilation of inorganic carbon into organic molecules, supporting biosynthetic pathways, sustaining ecosystems, and contributing to the global carbon cycle. It also has industrial applications in carbon capture and bioproduct synthesis. Autotrophic organisms rely on this process to utilize CO₂ as a carbon source in diverse environments.The Calvin CycleThe Calvin cycle is the most widespread carbon fixation mechanism, primarily used by...
43