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Hiis EG, Vick SHW, Molstad L, Røsdal K, Jonassen KR, Winiwarter W, Bakken LR. Unlocking bacterial potential to reduce farmland N 2O emissions. Nature 2024:10.1038/s41586-024-07464-3. [PMID: 38811724 DOI: 10.1038/s41586-024-07464-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/27/2023] [Accepted: 04/25/2024] [Indexed: 05/31/2024]
Abstract
Farmed soils contribute substantially to global warming by emitting N2O (ref. 1), and mitigation has proved difficult2. Several microbial nitrogen transformations produce N2O, but the only biological sink for N2O is the enzyme NosZ, catalysing the reduction of N2O to N2 (ref. 3). Although strengthening the NosZ activity in soils would reduce N2O emissions, such bioengineering of the soil microbiota is considered challenging4,5. However, we have developed a technology to achieve this, using organic waste as a substrate and vector for N2O-respiring bacteria selected for their capacity to thrive in soil6-8. Here we have analysed the biokinetics of N2O reduction by our most promising N2O-respiring bacterium, Cloacibacterium sp. CB-01, its survival in soil and its effect on N2O emissions in field experiments. Fertilization with waste from biogas production, in which CB-01 had grown aerobically to about 6 × 109 cells per millilitre, reduced N2O emissions by 50-95%, depending on soil type. The strong and long-lasting effect of CB-01 is ascribed to its tenacity in soil, rather than its biokinetic parameters, which were inferior to those of other strains of N2O-respiring bacteria. Scaling our data up to the European level, we find that national anthropogenic N2O emissions could be reduced by 5-20%, and more if including other organic wastes. This opens an avenue for cost-effective reduction of N2O emissions for which other mitigation options are lacking at present.
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Affiliation(s)
- Elisabeth G Hiis
- Faculty of Chemistry, Biotechnology and Food Science, Norwegian University of Life Sciences, Ås, Norway
| | - Silas H W Vick
- Faculty of Chemistry, Biotechnology and Food Science, Norwegian University of Life Sciences, Ås, Norway
| | - Lars Molstad
- Faculty of Chemistry, Biotechnology and Food Science, Norwegian University of Life Sciences, Ås, Norway
| | - Kristine Røsdal
- Faculty of Chemistry, Biotechnology and Food Science, Norwegian University of Life Sciences, Ås, Norway
| | | | - Wilfried Winiwarter
- International Institute for Applied Systems Analysis, Laxenburg, Austria
- Institute of Environmental Engineering, University of Zielona Góra, Zielona Góra, Poland
| | - Lars R Bakken
- Faculty of Chemistry, Biotechnology and Food Science, Norwegian University of Life Sciences, Ås, Norway.
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2
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Jiménez-Ríos L, Torrado A, González-Pimentel JL, Iniesta-Pallarés M, Molina-Heredia FP, Mariscal V, Álvarez C. Emerging nitrogen-fixing cyanobacteria for sustainable cotton cultivation. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2024; 924:171533. [PMID: 38458446 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2024.171533] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/15/2024] [Revised: 03/04/2024] [Accepted: 03/04/2024] [Indexed: 03/10/2024]
Abstract
Amid growing environmental concerns and the imperative for sustainable agricultural practices, this study examines the potential of nitrogen-fixing cyanobacteria as biofertilizers, particularly in cotton cultivation. The reliance on synthetic nitrogen fertilizers (SNFs), prevalent in modern agriculture, poses significant environmental challenges, including greenhouse gas emissions and water system contamination. This research aims to shift this paradigm by exploring the capacity of cyanobacteria as a natural and sustainable alternative. Utilizing advanced metabarcoding methods to analyze the 16S rRNA gene, we conducted a comprehensive assessment of soil bacterial communities within cotton fields. This study focused on evaluating the diversity, structure, taxonomic composition, and potential functional characteristics of these communities. Emphasis was placed on the isolation of native N2-fixing cyanobacteria strains rom cotton soils, and their subsequent effects on cotton growth. Results from our study demonstrate significant plant growth-promoting (PGP) activities, measured as N2 fixation, production of Phytohormones, Fe solubilization and biofertilization potential of five isolated cyanobacterial strains, underscoring their efficacy in cotton. These findings suggest a viable pathway for replacing chemical-synthetic nitrogen fertilizers with natural, organic alternatives. The reintegration of these beneficial species into agricultural ecosystems can enhance crop growth while fostering a balanced microbial environment, thus contributing to the broader goals of global sustainable agriculture.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lucía Jiménez-Ríos
- Instituto de Bioquímica Vegetal y Fotosíntesis, Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas and Universidad de Sevilla, Américo Vespucio 49, 41092 Sevilla, Spain
| | - Alejandro Torrado
- Instituto de Bioquímica Vegetal y Fotosíntesis, Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas and Universidad de Sevilla, Américo Vespucio 49, 41092 Sevilla, Spain
| | - José Luis González-Pimentel
- Instituto de Bioquímica Vegetal y Fotosíntesis, Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas and Universidad de Sevilla, Américo Vespucio 49, 41092 Sevilla, Spain
| | - Macarena Iniesta-Pallarés
- Instituto de Bioquímica Vegetal y Fotosíntesis, Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas and Universidad de Sevilla, Américo Vespucio 49, 41092 Sevilla, Spain
| | - Fernando P Molina-Heredia
- Instituto de Bioquímica Vegetal y Fotosíntesis, Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas and Universidad de Sevilla, Américo Vespucio 49, 41092 Sevilla, Spain
| | - Vicente Mariscal
- Instituto de Bioquímica Vegetal y Fotosíntesis, Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas and Universidad de Sevilla, Américo Vespucio 49, 41092 Sevilla, Spain.
| | - Consolación Álvarez
- Instituto de Bioquímica Vegetal y Fotosíntesis, Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas and Universidad de Sevilla, Américo Vespucio 49, 41092 Sevilla, Spain.
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3
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Wang S, Xu Z, Xu X, Gao F, Zhang K, Zhang X, Zhang X, Yang G, Zhang Z, Li R, Quan F. Effects of two strains of thermophilic nitrogen-fixing bacteria on nitrogen loss mitigation in cow dung compost. BIORESOURCE TECHNOLOGY 2024; 400:130681. [PMID: 38599350 DOI: 10.1016/j.biortech.2024.130681] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/18/2023] [Revised: 04/06/2024] [Accepted: 04/06/2024] [Indexed: 04/12/2024]
Abstract
Excavating nitrogen-fixing bacteria with high-temperature tolerance is essential for the efficient composting of animal dung. In this study, two strains of thermophilic nitrogen-fixing bacteria, NF1 (Bacillus subtilis) and NF2 (Azotobacter chroococcum), were added to cow dung compost both individually (NF1, NF2) and mixed together (NF3; mixing NF1 and NF2 at a ratio of 1:1). The results showed that NF1, NF2, and NF3 inoculants increased the total Kjeldahl nitrogen level by 38.43%-55.35%, prolonged the thermophilic period by 1-13 d, increased the seed germination index by 17.81%, and the emissions of NH3 and N2O were reduced by 25.11% and 42.75%, respectively. Microbial analysis showed that Firmicutes were the predominant bacteria at the thermophilic stage, whereas Chloroflexi, Proteobacteria, and Bacteroidetes were the predominant bacteria at the mature stage. These results confirmed that the addition of the isolated strains to cow dung composting improved the bacterial community structure and benefited nitrogen retention.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shaowen Wang
- College of Veterinary Medicine, Northwest A&F University, Yangling, Shaanxi Province, 712100, PR China
| | - Zhiming Xu
- College of Veterinary Medicine, Northwest A&F University, Yangling, Shaanxi Province, 712100, PR China
| | - Xuerui Xu
- College of Veterinary Medicine, Northwest A&F University, Yangling, Shaanxi Province, 712100, PR China
| | - Feng Gao
- College of Veterinary Medicine, Northwest A&F University, Yangling, Shaanxi Province, 712100, PR China
| | - Kang Zhang
- College of Veterinary Medicine, Northwest A&F University, Yangling, Shaanxi Province, 712100, PR China
| | - Xin Zhang
- College of Veterinary Medicine, Northwest A&F University, Yangling, Shaanxi Province, 712100, PR China
| | - Xiu Zhang
- North Minzu University Ningxia Key Laboratory for the Development and Application of Microbial Resources in Extreme Environments, Yinchuan 750021, PR China
| | - Guoping Yang
- North Minzu University Ningxia Key Laboratory for the Development and Application of Microbial Resources in Extreme Environments, Yinchuan 750021, PR China
| | - Zengqiang Zhang
- College of Natural Resources and Environment, Northwest A&F University, Yangling Shaanxi, 712100, PR China
| | - Ronghua Li
- College of Natural Resources and Environment, Northwest A&F University, Yangling Shaanxi, 712100, PR China
| | - Fusheng Quan
- College of Veterinary Medicine, Northwest A&F University, Yangling, Shaanxi Province, 712100, PR China.
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Shanks CM, Rothkegel K, Brooks MD, Cheng CY, Alvarez JM, Ruffel S, Krouk G, Gutiérrez RA, Coruzzi GM. Nitrogen sensing and regulatory networks: it's about time and space. THE PLANT CELL 2024; 36:1482-1503. [PMID: 38366121 PMCID: PMC11062454 DOI: 10.1093/plcell/koae038] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/02/2023] [Revised: 01/05/2024] [Accepted: 01/08/2024] [Indexed: 02/18/2024]
Abstract
A plant's response to external and internal nitrogen signals/status relies on sensing and signaling mechanisms that operate across spatial and temporal dimensions. From a comprehensive systems biology perspective, this involves integrating nitrogen responses in different cell types and over long distances to ensure organ coordination in real time and yield practical applications. In this prospective review, we focus on novel aspects of nitrogen (N) sensing/signaling uncovered using temporal and spatial systems biology approaches, largely in the model Arabidopsis. The temporal aspects span: transcriptional responses to N-dose mediated by Michaelis-Menten kinetics, the role of the master NLP7 transcription factor as a nitrate sensor, its nitrate-dependent TF nuclear retention, its "hit-and-run" mode of target gene regulation, and temporal transcriptional cascade identified by "network walking." Spatial aspects of N-sensing/signaling have been uncovered in cell type-specific studies in roots and in root-to-shoot communication. We explore new approaches using single-cell sequencing data, trajectory inference, and pseudotime analysis as well as machine learning and artificial intelligence approaches. Finally, unveiling the mechanisms underlying the spatial dynamics of nitrogen sensing/signaling networks across species from model to crop could pave the way for translational studies to improve nitrogen-use efficiency in crops. Such outcomes could potentially reduce the detrimental effects of excessive fertilizer usage on groundwater pollution and greenhouse gas emissions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Carly M Shanks
- Department of Biology, Center for Genomics and Systems Biology, New York University, New York, NY 10003, USA
| | - Karin Rothkegel
- Agencia Nacional de Investigación y Desarrollo-Millennium Science Initiative Program, Millennium Institute for Integrative Biology (iBio), 7500565 Santiago, Chile
- Center for Genome Regulation (CRG), Institute of Ecology and Biodiversity (IEB), Facultad de Ciencias Biológicas, Pontificia Universidad Católica de Chile, 8331010 Santiago, Chile
| | - Matthew D Brooks
- Global Change and Photosynthesis Research Unit, USDA-ARS, Urbana, IL 61801, USA
| | - Chia-Yi Cheng
- Department of Life Science, National Taiwan University, Taipei 10663, Taiwan
| | - José M Alvarez
- Agencia Nacional de Investigación y Desarrollo-Millennium Science Initiative Program, Millennium Institute for Integrative Biology (iBio), 7500565 Santiago, Chile
- Centro de Biotecnología Vegetal, Facultad de Ciencias, Universidad Andrés Bello, 8370035 Santiago, Chile
| | - Sandrine Ruffel
- Institute for Plant Sciences of Montpellier (IPSiM), Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique (CNRS), Institut National de Recherche pour l’Agriculture, l’Alimentation, et l'Environnement (INRAE), Université de Montpellier, Montpellier 34090, France
| | - Gabriel Krouk
- Institute for Plant Sciences of Montpellier (IPSiM), Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique (CNRS), Institut National de Recherche pour l’Agriculture, l’Alimentation, et l'Environnement (INRAE), Université de Montpellier, Montpellier 34090, France
| | - Rodrigo A Gutiérrez
- Agencia Nacional de Investigación y Desarrollo-Millennium Science Initiative Program, Millennium Institute for Integrative Biology (iBio), 7500565 Santiago, Chile
- Center for Genome Regulation (CRG), Institute of Ecology and Biodiversity (IEB), Facultad de Ciencias Biológicas, Pontificia Universidad Católica de Chile, 8331010 Santiago, Chile
| | - Gloria M Coruzzi
- Department of Biology, Center for Genomics and Systems Biology, New York University, New York, NY 10003, USA
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5
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Mgadi K, Ndaba B, Roopnarain A, Rama H, Adeleke R. Nanoparticle applications in agriculture: overview and response of plant-associated microorganisms. Front Microbiol 2024; 15:1354440. [PMID: 38511012 PMCID: PMC10951078 DOI: 10.3389/fmicb.2024.1354440] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/12/2023] [Accepted: 01/30/2024] [Indexed: 03/22/2024] Open
Abstract
Globally, food security has become a critical concern due to the rise in human population and the current climate change crisis. Usage of conventional agrochemicals to maximize crop yields has resulted in the degradation of fertile soil, environmental pollution as well as human and agroecosystem health risks. Nanotechnology in agriculture is a fast-emerging and new area of research explored to improve crop productivity and nutrient-use efficiency using nano-sized agrochemicals at lower doses than conventional agrochemicals. Nanoparticles in agriculture are applied as nanofertilizers and/or nanopesticides. Positive results have been observed in terms of plant growth when using nano-based agricultural amendments. However, their continuous application may have adverse effects on plant-associated rhizospheric and endospheric microorganisms which often play a crucial role in plant growth, nutrient uptake, and disease prevention. While research shows that the application of nanoparticles has the potential to improve plant growth and yield, their effect on the diversity and function of plant-associated microorganisms remains under-explored. This review provides an overview of plant-associated microorganisms and their functions. Additionally, it highlights the response of plant-associated microorganisms to nanoparticle application and provides insight into areas of research required to promote sustainable and precision agricultural practices that incorporate nanofertilizers and nanopesticides.
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Affiliation(s)
- Katiso Mgadi
- Unit of Environmental Sciences and Management, North-West University, Potchefstroom, South Africa
- Microbiology and Environmental Biotechnology Research Group, Agricultural Research Council-Natural Resources and Engineering, Pretoria, South Africa
| | - Busiswa Ndaba
- Microbiology and Environmental Biotechnology Research Group, Agricultural Research Council-Natural Resources and Engineering, Pretoria, South Africa
| | - Ashira Roopnarain
- Microbiology and Environmental Biotechnology Research Group, Agricultural Research Council-Natural Resources and Engineering, Pretoria, South Africa
- Department of Environmental Sciences, University of South Africa–Florida Campus, Johannesburg, South Africa
| | - Haripriya Rama
- Microbiology and Environmental Biotechnology Research Group, Agricultural Research Council-Natural Resources and Engineering, Pretoria, South Africa
- Department of Physics, University of South Africa–Florida Campus, Johannesburg, South Africa
| | - Rasheed Adeleke
- Unit of Environmental Sciences and Management, North-West University, Potchefstroom, South Africa
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6
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Beeckman F, Annetta L, Corrochano-Monsalve M, Beeckman T, Motte H. Enhancing agroecosystem nitrogen management: microbial insights for improved nitrification inhibition. Trends Microbiol 2023:S0966-842X(23)00298-6. [PMID: 37973432 DOI: 10.1016/j.tim.2023.10.009] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/29/2023] [Revised: 10/19/2023] [Accepted: 10/20/2023] [Indexed: 11/19/2023]
Abstract
Nitrification is a key microbial process in the nitrogen (N) cycle that converts ammonia to nitrate. Excessive nitrification, typically occurring in agroecosystems, has negative environmental impacts, including eutrophication and greenhouse gas emissions. Nitrification inhibitors (NIs) are widely used to manage N in agricultural systems by reducing nitrification rates and improving N use efficiency. However, the effectiveness of NIs can vary depending on the soil conditions, which, in turn, affect the microbial community and the balance between different functional groups of nitrifying microorganisms. Understanding the mechanisms underlying the effectiveness of NIs, and how this is affected by the soil microbial communities or abiotic factors, is crucial for promoting sustainable fertilizer practices. Therefore, this review examines the different types of NIs and how abiotic parameters can influence the nitrifying community, and, therefore, the efficacy of NIs. By discussing the latest research in this field, we provide insights that could facilitate the development of more targeted, efficient, or complementary NIs that improve the application of NIs for sustainable management practices in agroecosystems.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fabian Beeckman
- Department of Plant Biotechnology and Bioinformatics, Ghent University, Technologiepark 71, 9052 Ghent, Belgium; VIB Center for Plant Systems Biology, Technologiepark 71, 9052 Ghent, Belgium
| | - Laure Annetta
- Department of Plant Biotechnology and Bioinformatics, Ghent University, Technologiepark 71, 9052 Ghent, Belgium; VIB Center for Plant Systems Biology, Technologiepark 71, 9052 Ghent, Belgium
| | - Mario Corrochano-Monsalve
- Departamento de Genética, Antropología Física y Fisiología Animal, Facultad de Ciencia y Tecnología, Universidad del País Vasco (UPV/EHU), Leioa, Spain; Instituto Multidisciplinar Para el Estudio del Medio 'Ramon Margalef', Universidad de Alicante, Carretera de San Vicente del Raspeig s/n, 03690 San Vicente del Raspeig, Spain
| | - Tom Beeckman
- Department of Plant Biotechnology and Bioinformatics, Ghent University, Technologiepark 71, 9052 Ghent, Belgium; VIB Center for Plant Systems Biology, Technologiepark 71, 9052 Ghent, Belgium
| | - Hans Motte
- Department of Plant Biotechnology and Bioinformatics, Ghent University, Technologiepark 71, 9052 Ghent, Belgium; VIB Center for Plant Systems Biology, Technologiepark 71, 9052 Ghent, Belgium.
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7
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Souza EFC, Rosen CJ, Venterea RT, Tahir M. Intended and unintended impacts of nitrogen-fixing microorganisms and microbial inhibitors on nitrogen losses in contrasting maize cropping systems. JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL QUALITY 2023; 52:972-983. [PMID: 37391883 DOI: 10.1002/jeq2.20500] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/29/2022] [Accepted: 06/21/2023] [Indexed: 07/02/2023]
Abstract
Efforts to mitigate the nitrogen (N) footprint of maize production include using N-fixing microbes (NFM) and/or microbial inhibitors. We quantified the effects of NFM, the nitrification inhibitor (NI) 2-(N-3,4-dimethyl-1H-pyrazol-1-yl) succinic acid isomeric mixture, and the urease inhibitor (UI) N-(n-butyl) thiophosphoric triamide, each applied by itself or paired with another additive, on nitrous oxide (N2 O) emissions, nitrate (NO3 - ) leaching, and crop performance in contrasting irrigated and rainfed maize systems over two growing seasons. We also used published emission factors to estimate indirect N2 O emissions from leached NO3 - that can be converted to N2 O. Agronomic effects were relatively small; the NI + NFM treatment increased N use efficiency and grain yield and protein content in some cases by 11%-14% relative to a treatment receiving only urea. Most of the additive treatments reduced direct (in-field) N2 O emissions, most consistently for treatments that contained NI which reduced emissions by 24%-77%. However, these beneficial effects were counteracted by increased NO3 - leaching, which occurred most consistently with UI or NFM applied as single additives or with NI. In these treatments, NO3 - leaching increased during at least one growing season, and at both sites, by factors of 2-7. In three site-years, increased NO3 - leaching with NFM and NI + NFM offset large reductions in direct N2 O, such that total direct + indirect N2 O emissions were not different from that in the urea only treatment. These unintended effects may have resulted from unfavorable rainfall timing, varying crop N demand, and declining additive effectiveness. Use of these soil additives requires caution and further study.
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Affiliation(s)
- Emerson F C Souza
- Department of Soil, Water, and Climate, University of Minnesota, St. Paul, Minnesota, USA
| | - Carl J Rosen
- Department of Soil, Water, and Climate, University of Minnesota, St. Paul, Minnesota, USA
| | - Rodney T Venterea
- Department of Soil, Water, and Climate, University of Minnesota, St. Paul, Minnesota, USA
- USDA-ARS, Soil and Water Management Research Unit, St. Paul, Minnesota, USA
| | - Muhammad Tahir
- Department of Soil, Water, and Climate, University of Minnesota, St. Paul, Minnesota, USA
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Waqas M, Hawkesford MJ, Geilfus CM. Feeding the world sustainably: efficient nitrogen use. TRENDS IN PLANT SCIENCE 2023; 28:505-508. [PMID: 36894361 DOI: 10.1016/j.tplants.2023.02.010] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/03/2023] [Revised: 02/20/2023] [Accepted: 02/21/2023] [Indexed: 05/22/2023]
Abstract
Globally, overuse of nitrogen (N) fertilizers in croplands is causing severe environmental pollution. In this context, Gu et al. suggest environmentally friendly and cost-effective N management practices and Hamani et al. highlight the use of microbial inoculants to improve crop yields, while reducing N-associated environmental pollution and N-fertilizer use.
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Affiliation(s)
- Muhammad Waqas
- Department for Plant Nutrition and Soil Science, Hochschule Geisenheim University, 65366 Geisenheim, Germany
| | | | - Christoph-Martin Geilfus
- Department for Plant Nutrition and Soil Science, Hochschule Geisenheim University, 65366 Geisenheim, Germany.
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Ammonia Production Using Bacteria and Yeast toward a Sustainable Society. BIOENGINEERING (BASEL, SWITZERLAND) 2023; 10:bioengineering10010082. [PMID: 36671654 PMCID: PMC9854848 DOI: 10.3390/bioengineering10010082] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/22/2022] [Revised: 12/29/2022] [Accepted: 01/05/2023] [Indexed: 01/11/2023]
Abstract
Ammonia is an important chemical that is widely used in fertilizer applications as well as in the steel, chemical, textile, and pharmaceutical industries, which has attracted attention as a potential fuel. Thus, approaches to achieve sustainable ammonia production have attracted considerable attention. In particular, biological approaches are important for achieving a sustainable society because they can produce ammonia under mild conditions with minimal environmental impact compared with chemical methods. For example, nitrogen fixation by nitrogenase in heterogeneous hosts and ammonia production from food waste using microorganisms have been developed. In addition, crop production using nitrogen-fixing bacteria has been considered as a potential approach to achieving a sustainable ammonia economy. This review describes previous research on biological ammonia production and provides insights into achieving a sustainable society.
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Zhao J, Rodriguez J, Martens-Habbena W. Fine-scale evaluation of two standard 16S rRNA gene amplicon primer pairs for analysis of total prokaryotes and archaeal nitrifiers in differently managed soils. Front Microbiol 2023; 14:1140487. [PMID: 36910167 PMCID: PMC9995467 DOI: 10.3389/fmicb.2023.1140487] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/09/2023] [Accepted: 01/30/2023] [Indexed: 02/25/2023] Open
Abstract
The advance of high-throughput molecular biology tools allows in-depth profiling of microbial communities in soils, which possess a high diversity of prokaryotic microorganisms. Amplicon-based sequencing of 16S rRNA genes is the most common approach to studying the richness and composition of soil prokaryotes. To reliably detect different taxonomic lineages of microorganisms in a single soil sample, an adequate pipeline including DNA isolation, primer selection, PCR amplification, library preparation, DNA sequencing, and bioinformatic post-processing is required. Besides DNA sequencing quality and depth, the selection of PCR primers and PCR amplification reactions arguably have the largest influence on the results. This study tested the performance and potential bias of two primer pairs, i.e., 515F (Parada)-806R (Apprill) and 515F (Parada)-926R (Quince) in the standard pipelines of 16S rRNA gene Illumina amplicon sequencing protocol developed by the Earth Microbiome Project (EMP), against shotgun metagenome-based 16S rRNA gene reads. The evaluation was conducted using five differently managed soils. We observed a higher richness of soil total prokaryotes by using reverse primer 806R compared to 926R, contradicting to in silico evaluation results. Both primer pairs revealed various degrees of taxon-specific bias compared to metagenome-derived 16S rRNA gene reads. Nonetheless, we found consistent patterns of microbial community variation associated with different land uses, irrespective of primers used. Total microbial communities, as well as ammonia oxidizing archaea (AOA), the predominant ammonia oxidizers in these soils, shifted along with increased soil pH due to agricultural management. In the unmanaged low pH plot abundance of AOA was dominated by the acid-tolerant NS-Gamma clade, whereas limed agricultural plots were dominated by neutral-alkaliphilic NS-Delta/NS-Alpha clades. This study stresses how primer selection influences community composition and highlights the importance of primer selection for comparative and integrative studies, and that conclusions must be drawn with caution if data from different sequencing pipelines are to be compared.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jun Zhao
- Fort Lauderdale Research and Education Center, University of Florida, Davie, FL, United States
| | - Jonathan Rodriguez
- Fort Lauderdale Research and Education Center, University of Florida, Davie, FL, United States
| | - Willm Martens-Habbena
- Fort Lauderdale Research and Education Center, University of Florida, Davie, FL, United States
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11
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Application of Stable Isotope Techniques in Tracing the Sources of Atmospheric NOX and Nitrate. Processes (Basel) 2022. [DOI: 10.3390/pr10122549] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/03/2022] Open
Abstract
Nitrate is an important component of PM2.5, and its dry deposition and wet deposition can have an impact on ecosystems. Nitrate in the atmosphere is mainly transformed by nitrogen oxides (NOX = NO + NO2) through a number of photochemical processes. For effective management of the atmosphere’s environment, it is crucial to understand the sources of atmospheric NOX and the processes that produce atmospheric nitrate. The stable isotope method is an effective analytical method for exploring the sources of NO3− in the atmosphere. This study discusses the range and causes of δ15N data from various sources of NOX emissions, provides the concepts of stable isotope techniques applied to NOX traceability, and introduces the use of Bayesian mixture models for the investigation of NOX sources. The combined application of δ15N and δ18O to determine the pathways of nitrate formation is summarized, and the contribution of Δ17O to the atmospheric nitrate formation pathway and the progress of combining Δ17O simulations to reveal the atmospheric oxidation characteristics of different regions are discussed, respectively. This paper highlights the application results and development trend of stable isotope techniques in nitrate traceability, discusses the advantages and disadvantages of stable isotope techniques in atmospheric NOX traceability, and looks forward to its future application in atmospheric nitrate pollution. The research results could provide data support for regional air pollution control measures.
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