Summary
This research describes the genetic reprogramming of a plant-associated proteobacterium (Kosakonia sacchari) isolated from corn roots to overcome the ecological problem of reduced nitrogen-fixing capacity under high exogenous nitrogen inputs. By targeting key nodes in the bacterial nitrogen regulatory network, the authors engineered strains that maintain elevated nitrogen fixation activity in the rhizosphere of maize even when chemical fertiliser is present. The engineered strains could potentially be deployed as inoculants to reduce reliance on synthetic nitrogen fertilisers in cereal crop production.
Regional applicability
The study was conducted in the United States and focused on maize, which is not a major UK cereal crop by area. However, the approach to enhancing biological nitrogen fixation in non-legume crops through microbial engineering may have broader relevance to UK arable systems, particularly for improving nitrogen-use efficiency and reducing synthetic fertiliser inputs. Transferability would require field validation in UK soil and climatic conditions.
Key measures
Nitrogenase expression levels; ammonium production in the rhizosphere; nitrogen fixation activity in greenhouse and field conditions with and without exogenous nitrogen inputs
Outcomes reported
The study isolated and genetically modified a strain of Kosakonia sacchari from corn roots to maintain elevated nitrogenase expression and ammonium production even in the presence of exogenous nitrogen fertiliser. Field and greenhouse trials demonstrated that remodeled strains sustained nitrogen fixation activity in fertilised corn systems where wild-type strains were repressed.
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