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
Discovery |
French researchers discovered zinc's crucial role in legume crop health that helps in nitrogen fixation. |
Institutions |
Aarhus University, Denmark and Polytechnic University of Madrid |
Publication |
Nature journal |
Applications |
The discovery applicable to legumes like fava beans, soyabeans and cowpeas |
- 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
PRACTICE QUESTION Q. Which of the following is the enzyme responsible for breaking the triple bond in N₂ during biological nitrogen fixation? a) Nitrate reductase b) Nitrogenase c) Nitrosomonas d) Decomposer Answer: b) |