By Jamie Martin
A team of scientists, led by Professor Jean-Michel Ané at the University of Wisconsin, is transforming agriculture with corn capable of fixing its own nitrogen. This groundbreaking research began with the study of a maize variety in Sierra Mixe, Mexico, which naturally fixes nitrogen through aerial roots.
The maize, along with sorghum found in Africa exhibiting similar traits, holds promise for dramatically reducing the need for nitrogen fertilizers—a major environmental and economic concern.
Researchers, including Associate Professor Jason Wallace and Natalia de Leon, are integrating these traits with Midwest-adapted crop varieties to enhance sustainability and yield.
Wallace emphasizes the significance of this development, stating, "Reducing nitrogen use by even 5% can have an enormous impact, potentially lifting farmers in resource-poor regions out of poverty." These crops could change the landscape of farming by decreasing costs and environmental damage from synthetic fertilizers, which are often underutilized and contribute to greenhouse gas emissions.
With continued support from the U.S. Department of Agriculture, this research not only focuses on creating high-yielding, self-fertilizing crops but also on understanding the genetic underpinnings that enable these capabilities, promising a future where crops are less dependent on chemical inputs.
Photo Credit: gettyimages-eugenesergeev
Categories: National