New Progress in Biological Nitrogen Fixation Research

Dear Colleagues，

Nitrogen is the nutrient required the most by plants, and it is frequently provided at unsatisfactory levels, limiting crop yields. However, the limitation of N supply is due to a scarce elemental abundance. On the contrary, nitrogen in the free state is one of the most abundant elements, accounting for almost 80% of the atmosphere, but most organisms cannot access atmospheric dinitrogen for metabolic purposes. Converting atmospheric dinitrogen into a usable form is restricted to the prokaryotes belonging to the Archaea and Bacteria domains. This process is called biological nitrogen fixation (BNF), and the microorganisms that perform it are collectively called diazotrophs. Although they have this common trait, they represent a wide diversity of phylogenetically and physiologically distinct genera and species that occupy different ecological niches.

Until the industrial synthesis of ammonia became possible at the beginning of the 20th century, BNF represented the main input of N in agriculture. Afterwards, the importance of BNF as a primary source of N for agriculture diminished. However, nowadays, there is a growing concern about environmental issues. Agriculture is becoming not only focused on crop productivity but also on environmentally sustainable ways of production. Consequently, BNF gained renewed relevance as an environmentally friendly technology able to supply N for agriculture. In addition to the rhizobial–legume symbiosis, other associations, with different levels of interaction between microorganisms and plants and different fixed N rates, have been studied and used in agriculture. This Special Issue welcomes all types of articles focusing on BNF, including original research and reviews. 

Dr. Luciano Kayser Vargas
Guest Editor

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• diazotrophs
• rhizobia
• nodulation
• nitrogenase
• PGPR
• nitrogen fixation
• endophytes