Search research articles

ABOUT JoVE

Overview Leadership Blog JoVE Help Center

AUTHORS

Publishing Process Editorial Board Scope & Policies Peer Review FAQ Submit

LIBRARIANS

Testimonials Subscriptions Access Resources Library Advisory Board FAQ

RESEARCH

JoVE Journal Methods Collections JoVE Encyclopedia of Experiments Archive

EDUCATION

JoVE Core JoVE Business JoVE Science Education JoVE Lab Manual Faculty Resource Center Faculty Site

Terms & Conditions of Use

Related Concept Videos

Microbes and the Nitrogen Cycle

Microbes and the Nitrogen Cycle

The nitrogen cycle is a complex biogeochemical process critical to maintaining the balance of nitrogenous compounds in ecosystems. This cycle involves multiple microbial-mediated transformations through which nitrogen changes oxidation states, supporting essential ecological functions and contributing to plant and microbial growth.Nitrogen Fixation and AmmonificationNitrogen fixation initiates the cycle by converting inert atmospheric nitrogen (N₂) into bioavailable ammonia (NH₃), a process...

The Roles of Bacteria and Fungi in Plant Nutrition

The Roles of Bacteria and Fungi in Plant Nutrition

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.

Microbe-Plant Interactions

Microbe-Plant Interactions

Microbe-plant interactions represent a dynamic spectrum of associations shaped by intricate chemical signaling. These interactions can be neutral, beneficial, or detrimental, and profoundly influence plant physiology, growth, and ecosystem function. The plant microbiome, comprising bacteria, fungi, archaea, protists, and viruses, plays a pivotal role in mediating these effects through surface colonization, internal colonization, or systemic symbiosis.Mutualistic associations, particularly with...

Microbes and the Carbon Cycle

Microbes and the Carbon Cycle

The carbon cycle is a fundamental Earth process involving the transfer of carbon among the biosphere, lithosphere, atmosphere, and hydrosphere. It plays a critical role in regulating the planet’s climate and supporting life by cycling carbon through various chemical forms and reservoirs. Carbon primarily circulates as carbon dioxide (CO₂), representing its oxidized form, while reduced forms such as methane (CH₄) and organic compounds also play essential roles.Microbial activity is central to...

Overview of Nitrogen Metabolism

Overview of Nitrogen Metabolism

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 nitrogen...

The Nitrogen Cycle

The Nitrogen Cycle

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...

You might also read

Related Articles

Articles linked to this work by shared authors, journal, and citation graph.

Sort by

Same author

[Analysis of syndromic surveillance of 63 325 outpatients in Fever Clinic in Beijing].

Beijing da xue xue bao. Yi xue ban = Journal of Peking University. Health sciences·2011

Same author

Computing the Inner Distances of Volumetric Models for Articulated Shape Description with a Visibility Graph.

IEEE transactions on pattern analysis and machine intelligence·2011

Same author

Sterically stable liposomes improve the therapeutic effect of hepatic stimulator substance on fulminant hepatic failure in rats.

Biochemical pharmacology·2011

Same author

[Neuropeptide Y promotes the proliferation and differentiation of 3T3-L1 preadipocytes].

Xi bao yu fen zi mian yi xue za zhi = Chinese journal of cellular and molecular immunology·2011

Same author

A novel EIF2AK3 mutation leading to Wolcott-Rallison syndrome in a Chinese child.

Journal of pediatric endocrinology & metabolism : JPEM·2011

Same author

MicroRNA-372 is down-regulated and targets cyclin-dependent kinase 2 (CDK2) and cyclin A1 in human cervical cancer, which may contribute to tumorigenesis.

The Journal of biological chemistry·2011

Search research articles

Related Experiment Video

Updated: Jun 13, 2026

A Hydroponic Co-cultivation System for Simultaneous and Systematic Analysis of Plant/Microbe Molecular Interactions and Signaling

A Hydroponic Co-cultivation System for Simultaneous and Systematic Analysis of Plant/Microbe Molecular Interactions and Signaling

Published on: July 22, 2017

A plant-microbe codriven perspective on the nitrogen cycle.

Min Liu¹, Xingliang Xu¹

¹Key Laboratory of Ecosystem Network Observation and Modeling, Institute of Geographic Sciences and Natural Resources Research, Chinese Academy of Sciences, 11A, Datun Road, Chaoyang District, Beijing 100101, China; College of Resources and Environment, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Yanqi Lake, Huairou District, Beijing 101408, China.

Trends in Plant Science

|June 11, 2026

Summary

Plants actively regulate the nitrogen (N) cycle, challenging the view of them as passive. This plant-microbe coregulation optimizes N use efficiency and reduces environmental risks.

Keywords:

nitrogen cycle nitrogen use efficiency plant nitrogen uptake plant–microbe interactions root economics space

More Related Videos

Investigation of Plant Interactions Across Common Mycorrhizal Networks Using Rotated Cores

Investigation of Plant Interactions Across Common Mycorrhizal Networks Using Rotated Cores

Published on: March 26, 2019

Isolation and Analysis of Microbial Communities in Soil, Rhizosphere, and Roots in Perennial Grass Experiments

Isolation and Analysis of Microbial Communities in Soil, Rhizosphere, and Roots in Perennial Grass Experiments

Published on: July 24, 2018

Related Experiment Videos

Last Updated: Jun 13, 2026

A Hydroponic Co-cultivation System for Simultaneous and Systematic Analysis of Plant/Microbe Molecular Interactions and Signaling

A Hydroponic Co-cultivation System for Simultaneous and Systematic Analysis of Plant/Microbe Molecular Interactions and Signaling

Published on: July 22, 2017

Investigation of Plant Interactions Across Common Mycorrhizal Networks Using Rotated Cores

Investigation of Plant Interactions Across Common Mycorrhizal Networks Using Rotated Cores

Published on: March 26, 2019

Isolation and Analysis of Microbial Communities in Soil, Rhizosphere, and Roots in Perennial Grass Experiments

Isolation and Analysis of Microbial Communities in Soil, Rhizosphere, and Roots in Perennial Grass Experiments

Published on: July 24, 2018

Area of Science:

Biogeochemistry
Plant-Microbe Interactions
Soil Science

Background:

The nitrogen (N) cycle is traditionally viewed as microbe-driven, with plants acting as passive recipients.
This perspective overlooks the active role plants play in N transformations and cycling.

Purpose of the Study:

To propose a new framework for understanding the nitrogen (N) cycle as a codriven process involving tight plant-microbe coregulation.
To highlight how plants actively influence N cycling through carbon allocation, signaling, and root traits.

Main Methods:

Conceptual framework development
Review of existing literature on plant-microbe interactions in N cycling
Analysis of plant strategies for N acquisition and regulation

Main Results:

Plants actively steer N cycling rates, locations, and pathways, rather than being passive sinks.
Plants employ 'Outsourcing' (stimulating microbes) and 'Do-It-Yourself' (foraging) strategies to manage N supply.
This coregulation synchronizes N availability with plant demand.

Conclusions:

Reframing the N cycle as a coregulated plant-microbe system shifts focus from reaction-based to control-based mechanisms.
Integrating plant traits into biogeochemical models is crucial for improving N use efficiency.
This approach offers a mechanistic foundation to reduce environmental risks associated with N pollution.