Scripting a new dialogue between diazotrophs and crops

Trends Microbiol. 2023 Sep 20:S0966-842X(23)00239-1. doi: 10.1016/j.tim.2023.08.007. Online ahead of print.ABSTRACTDiazotrophs are bacteria and archaea that can reduce atmospheric dinitrogen (N2) into ammonium. Plant-diazotroph interactions have been explored for over a century as a nitrogen (N) source for crops to improve agricultural productivity and sustainability. This scientific quest has generated much information about the molecular mechanisms underlying the function, assembly, and regulation of nitrogenase, ammonium assimilation, and plant-diazotroph interactions. This review presents various approaches to manipulating N fixation activity, ammonium release by diazotrophs, and plant-diazotroph interactions. We discuss the research avenues explored in this area, propose potential future routes, emphasizing engineering at the metabolic level via biorthogonal signaling, and conclude by highlighting the importance of biocontrol measures and public acceptance.PMID:37770375 | DOI:10.1016/j.tim.2023.08.007

Source: Trends in Microbiology - September 28, 2023 Category: Microbiology Authors: Sanhita Chakraborty Maya Venkataraman Valentina Infante Brian F Pfleger Jean-Michel An é Source Type: research