The Ecology of Nitrogen Fixation

固氮生态学

• 批准号: RGPIN-2015-05278
• 负责人: Markham, John
• 金额: $ 1.53万
• 依托单位: University of Manitoba
• 依托单位国家: 加拿大
• 项目类别: Discovery Grants Program - Individual
• 财政年份: 2017
• 资助国家: 加拿大
• 起止时间: 2017-01-01 至 2018-12-31
• 项目状态: 已结题
• 来源: https://www.nserc-crsng.gc.ca/ase-oro/Details-Detailles_eng.asp?id=632058
• 关键词: Ecology; Nitrogen; Fixation

Plant growth in temperate ecosystems is limited by nitrogen availability. Indeed, the success of modern agriculture is due primarily to the invention of nitrogen fertilizers. However, the use of nitrogen fertilizer requires intensive energy inputs and can result in eutrophication of the environment. Nitrogen can also be supplied to ecosystems by nitrogen fixing microbes. The symbiotic interaction between plants and nitrogen fixing bacteria frees plants from the limitations of soil nitrogen availability. The development of new nitrogen fixing symbioses could free us from our reliance on nitrogen fertilizer. However, this long sought goal of plant breeders has yet to be realized. Understanding the ecology of existing nitrogen fixing organisms may help us not only to understand their roles in natural systems, but also guide us in developing new nitrogen fixing systems and applications for them.

温带生态系统中的植物生长受到氮素有效性的限制。现代农业的成功主要归功于氮肥的发明。然而，氮肥的使用需要大量的能量投入，并可能导致环境的富营养化。氮也可以通过固氮微生物提供给生态系统。植物与固氮菌之间的共生相互作用使植物摆脱了土壤氮素有效性的限制。新的固氮共生体的发展可以使我们摆脱对氮肥的依赖。然而，植物育种者长期追求的目标尚未实现。了解现有固氮生物的生态学不仅可以帮助我们了解它们在自然系统中的作用，而且可以指导我们开发新的固氮系统和应用。