Although nitrogen fertilizers play a crucial role in increasing global crop yields, plants currently absorb only about half of the fertilizer applied to the soil. The leftover nitrogen causes severe environmental problems by polluting water supplies and releasing nitrous oxide, a potent greenhouse gas that traps 273 times more heat than carbon dioxide over a 100-year period. Furthermore, chemical fertilizers are expensive to manufacture and risky to transport.
To address these issues, researchers at New York University and the INGEBI institute in Argentina identified a key protein called HHO5. This protein acts as a signal for nitrogen satiety, informing the plant when it has absorbed enough nutrients. When organic nitrogen levels are high, HHO5 rises to stop further nitrogen uptake from the soil, conserving energy. However, when paired with another protein named WRKY21, HHO5 instead activates genes involved in nutrient processing and plant defense.
Using fluorescent markers and experiments on Arabidopsis, a common laboratory plant, the team showed that plants lacking HHO5 absorbed nearly three times more nitrogen than normal plants under specific conditions. By controlling or disabling HHO5, scientists aim to breed crops that absorb nitrogen more efficiently, allowing farmers to reduce fertilizer use, cut costs, and minimize environmental harm. New York University has already applied for a patent for this promising technology.
Difficult words
- yield — the amount of a crop producedyields
- satiety — the state of feeling completely full
- uptake — the process of taking something in
- potent — having a very powerful effect
- conserve — to save or avoid wasting somethingconserving
- disable — to stop something from working properlydisabling
Tip: hover, focus or tap highlighted words in the article to see quick definitions while you read or listen.
Discussion questions
- How could reducing fertilizer use benefit both farmers and the environment?
- What potential challenges or concerns might arise from genetically modifying crops to change how they absorb nutrients?
- In what ways can scientific research help solve modern environmental problems?
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