Role of zinc in Nitrogen Fixation

Source: Down to Earth

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Context

• Research reveals zinc's vital role in legume crops, promotes nitrogen fixation and crop resilience. Study published by Aarhus University and Polytechnic University of Madrid.

Details

Key Points

• Zinc helps in nitrogen fixation by converting atmospheric nitrogen into ammonia.
• Legumes forms symbiotic relation with rhizobia bacteria that fixes atmospheric nitrogen in root nodules.
• Root nodules are sensitive to high temperatures, flooding, drought, soil salinity and high soil nitrogen levels.
• The study also finds a transcription factor i.e. Fixation Under Nitrate (FUN) by controlling nodule breakdown when there are high soil nitrogen levels.
• Zinc acts as a secondary signal by integrating environmental factors to regulate nitrogen fixation efficiency.
• Agricultural Benefits:
  • Increased nitrogen availability for legume crops and subsequent crops.
  • It helps in reducing need for synthetic fertilizers thereby decreasing environmental and economic costs.
  • It enhances crop yields and acts as a climate resilient.

Nitrogen Fixation:

• Nitrogen fixation is a process where atmospheric nitrogen (N₂) is converted into usable forms for plants and other organisms.
• Atmospheric nitrogen cannot be utilized directly by most of the organisms. Therefore, making nitrogen fixation is essential for life on earth.
• Types of Nitrogen Fixation:
  • Biological nitrogen fixation which is carried out by specific bacteria and cyanobacteria (diazotrophs). For example: Rhizobium bacteria, Azotobacter
  • Abiotic nitrogen fixation which occurs naturally through lightning strikes and ultraviolet radiation from the sun.
• Importance of Nitrogen Fixation:
  • It provides for continuous supply of usable nitrogen for plants.
  • It maintains soil fertility and supports healthy ecosystems.
  • It reduces dependence on synthetic nitrogen fertilizer.
• Nitrogen Cycle:

Sources:

Down to Earth