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Related Concept Videos

The Nitrogen Cycle01:49

The Nitrogen Cycle

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Nitrogen atoms, present in all proteins and DNA, are recycled between abiotic and biotic components of the ecosystem. However, the primary form of nitrogen on Earth is nitrogen gas, which cannot be used by most animals and plants. Thus, nitrogen gas must first be converted into a usable form by nitrogen-fixing bacteria before it can be cycled through other living organisms. The use of nitrogen-containing fertilizers and animal waste products in human agriculture has greatly influenced the...
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Inorganic Nitrogen Assimilation01:22

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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...
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Overview of Nitrogen Metabolism01:20

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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...
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Microorganisms play a crucial role in agriculture and the food industry, contributing to soil fertility, crop protection, and food production. Their functions range from nitrogen fixation and biopesticide production to fermentation and food preservation, making them indispensable to sustainable farming and food safety.Role in AgricultureNitrogen-fixing bacteria, such as Rhizobium (symbiotic) and Azotobacter (free-living), convert atmospheric nitrogen into ammonia through biological nitrogen...
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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...
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Microorganisms play a pivotal role in maintaining ecosystem balance by recycling essential elements such as carbon, nitrogen, and phosphorus, as well as supporting processes like bioremediation, wastewater treatment, and biofuel production.Microbes in Elemental CyclesIn the carbon cycle, microorganisms decompose organic matter, releasing carbon dioxide via aerobic respiration. This carbon dioxide is subsequently used by photosynthetic organisms to synthesize organic compounds, closing the...
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Related Experiment Video

Updated: Jul 15, 2025

Microplot Design and Plant and Soil Sample Preparation for 15Nitrogen Analysis
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Microplot Design and Plant and Soil Sample Preparation for 15Nitrogen Analysis

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Agritech to Tame the Nitrogen Cycle.

Lisa Y Stein1

  • 1Department of Biological Sciences, University of Alberta, Edmonton, Alberta T6G 2E9, Canada Stein1@ualberta.ca lisa.stein@ualberta.ca.

Cold Spring Harbor Perspectives in Biology
|October 3, 2023
PubMed
Summary

Biological alternatives to synthetic fertilizers can significantly reduce agricultural greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions and N-pollution. These sustainable agritech solutions improve nitrogen use efficiency and protect environmental resources.

Area of Science:

  • Agricultural Science
  • Environmental Science
  • Biotechnology

Background:

  • The Haber-Bosch process, while crucial for food production, has disrupted the global nitrogen (N) cycle.
  • Excessive synthetic fertilizer use leads to significant greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions, water eutrophication, and soil degradation.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To explore biological alternatives to chemical fertilizers for mitigating N-pollution and GHG emissions.
  • To highlight agritech solutions that enhance nitrogen use efficiency and reduce environmental impact.

Main Methods:

  • Focus on biological fertilizers and nitrification inhibitors to reduce nitrogen conversion to GHGs.
  • Investigating soil-free aquaponics systems with microbial inocula for efficient nitrogen cycling.
  • Analyzing the potential of plant-derived molecules and microbe-based solutions.

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Calibrated Passive Sampling - Multi-plot Field Measurements of NH3 Emissions with a Combination of Dynamic Tube Method and Passive Samplers
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Last Updated: Jul 15, 2025

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Calibrated Passive Sampling - Multi-plot Field Measurements of NH3 Emissions with a Combination of Dynamic Tube Method and Passive Samplers
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Main Results:

  • Biological alternatives can reduce ag-related GHG emissions by at least 30% within a decade.
  • These solutions protect waterways from nitrate pollution and prevent soil deterioration.
  • Aquaponics systems offer nitrogen use efficiency without GHG production.

Conclusions:

  • Adoption of biological fertilizers and inhibitors can significantly decrease nitrous oxide (N2O) and methane (CH4) emissions.
  • Agritech solutions focusing on N-cycling processes offer a viable path to reduce environmental pollution.
  • Investment in microbe-based agritech can lead to rapid reductions in GHG emissions.