According to Lance Seefeldt, a biochemist at Utah State University, the productivity of our food supply is significantly reliant on the availability of fertilizers essential for crop growth.
“We need nitrogen to survive, yet we cannot absorb it directly from the atmosphere,” explains Seefeldt, who serves as both professor and head of USU’s Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry. “Instead, we derive nitrogen from the proteins found in the foods we consume.”
A little over a century ago, the groundbreaking Haber-Bosch process transformed agricultural practices by enabling the conversion of atmospheric nitrogen into a form suitable for industrial-scale fertilizer production. This monumental discovery not only led to a remarkable surge in global food production but also triggered an unprecedented population boom across the world. However, regions such as Sub-Saharan Africa still grapple with insufficient infrastructure, which hampers both the importation and distribution of fertilizers, as well as any local production capabilities for this vital nutrient.
Since 2019, Seefeldt, alongside USU Senior Scientist Zhi-Yong Yang, has been engaged in a groundbreaking project in collaboration with researchers in Spain and the United States. This initiative, backed by the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, aims to genetically re-engineer cereal crops like corn and rice to autonomously achieve nitrogen fixation using sunlight, thereby eliminating the need for traditional fertilizers.
Working under the guidance of lead author Luis Rubio and other scientists at the Center for Plant Biotechnology and Genomics at the Polytechnic University of Madrid (UPM), as well as Yisong Guo from Carnegie Mellon University, Seefeldt and Yang have made significant strides. They have identified a simplified genetic pathway involving a minimum of seven genes enabling plant cells to produce an enzyme capable of converting N2 gas from the atmosphere into a usable form of nitrogen. Their groundbreaking findings, which promise a new horizon in agricultural biotechnology, are scheduled for publication in the prestigious Nov. 6, 2024 issue of the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences (PNAS).
Yang elaborates, “The aim is to insert these genes into the crops’ mitochondria and chloroplasts, facilitating them to generate adequate energy to drive nitrogen fixation. This is a remarkable piece of evidence. Basically, these staple caloric crops – such as rice, corn, and potatoes – could potentially create their own fertilizer.”
The research team initially distilled the number of genes required for nitrogen fixation down to nine and identified combinations believed to be essential for the process. In an unexpected twist, the scientists discovered that certain genes they thought were indispensable for the middle steps of the pathway could actually be omitted without affecting the overall function.
Seefeldt emphasizes the monumental significance of reducing the dependency of cereal crops on added fertilizers. “While the Haber-Bosch process has played a pivotal role in preventing widespread mass starvation and has allowed many of us access to a reliable and abundant food supply, it also has a detrimental carbon footprint,” he notes. “Approximately two percent of the global fossil fuel supply is allocated to fertilizer production, which is notoriously harmful to the environment.”
In addition to its environmental implications, the newly identified minimum collection of genes holds promise for alleviating hunger in underdeveloped and hard-to-reach regions of the world, which are increasingly threatened by climate-induced droughts.
This innovative research is also paving the way for advancements in the quest to achieve sustainable food production beyond the confines of Earth. Seefeldt and his USU colleague Bruce Bugbee have joined forces in NASA-funded initiatives to explore how human life can be sustained during prolonged space missions, including potential expeditions to Mars.
“We are meticulously piecing together the intricacies of which genes and combinations thereof are necessary to achieve nitrogen fixation across various cell types,” states Seefeldt. “Rather than having just one instrument playing a solo, we’re striving to harmonize an entire orchestra for this ambitious endeavor.”
The Future of Food: Nitrogen Fixation and Fertilizer-Free Crops
Well, folks, grab your forks and let’s dig into some *fertilizing* news from the land of science! A remarkably clever biochemist from Utah State University, Lance Seefeldt—who I can only assume moonlights as a wizard—has made a significant breakthrough that could just turn our understanding of food production on its head. Fertilizers, you say? Well, they might soon be as unnecessary as a chocolate teapot!
Now, we all know nitrogen is as essential to our survival as a good cup of tea—much like a juggler at a children’s party, you just can’t let those balls drop! But it turns out, we can’t just suck it up from the air like some botanical vacuum cleaner. Nope! That nitrogen needs to come from the protein in our food. This brings us to the Haber-Bosch process—no, it’s not some hip café in Brooklyn, but a revolutionary process from over a century ago that allows us to transform atmospheric nitrogen into a form that agriculture can use. Just imagine if your local farmer could just wave a wand and poof… fertilizer!
But wait! It appears that some places are lacking the magical fertilizer fairy—or at least the infrastructure to import it. Sub-Saharan Africa, for instance, is facing a bit of a food predicament. And we’ve already used up our ‘how many times can I say fertilizer’ quota, so let’s roll forward!
Re-Engineering Nature: Enter the Plant Wizards
Spearheading this botanical crusade are Seefeldt and the equally talented Zhi-Yong Yang, working alongside a team across Spain and the U.S. They’ve teamed up with the Gates Foundation—yes, that Gates—like some kind of supergroup in science. Their mission? To re-engineer cereal crops like corn and rice to fix nitrogen all on their own. That’s right; we’re talking about crops so self-sufficient they’ll have you questioning whether they should quit the farm and join a commune!
Led by the intrepid Luis Rubio and a team from the Centro de Biotecnología y Genómica de Plantas in Madrid, they’ve been dabbling with a whopping seven genes—yes, only seven!—to enable plants to convert nitrogen from the air into their own little fertilizer factories. Imagine plants strutting around like they’re at a garden party, boasting about their self-sustaining capabilities!
Fertilizer-Free: The New Norm?
Seefeldt proclaims that moving toward fertilizer-free crops could be a game-changer. Honestly, it sounds too good to be true, doesn’t it? But let’s not forget the lurking beast that is climate change. With droughts becoming more common, regions where food production is already difficult might just find this breakthrough a godsend. After all, why should we let a little dry weather stop us from a good bowl of rice?
But in a twist that will have environmentally-conscious folks dancing in their eco-friendly shoes, Seefeldt tells us that the Haber-Bosch process, while keeping us fed, carries a hefty carbon footprint that could make Mother Nature weep. Apparently, nearly two percent of the world’s fossil fuel supply is used for this process. Just think of all the Netflix binge-watching we could do with all that wasted energy!
To Infinity and Beyond: Farming on Mars?
As if that weren’t enough, Seefeldt and colleague Bruce Bugbee have their sights set not just on Earth, but beyond! Under NASA’s watchful eye, they’re investigating how to keep astronauts alive on trips to Mars. Yes, you heard it right: we could be sending plants to Mars! Imagine an alien life form munching on our potatoes. Talk about intergalactic hospitality!
Conclusion: Light at the End of the Fertilizer Tunnel
In a world searching for sustainable solutions, this research is like finding that last piece of chocolate in the box—it’s unexpected, delightful, and could change everything! As we keep unraveling the mysteries of plant biology, we inch closer to a reality where we can farm without destructive fertilizers. So here’s to the future! Maybe one day our crops will be able to handle their business without us lurking in the background like a very needy parent.
Now, doesn’t that sound refreshing? Who knows, next time you enjoy a corn-on-the-cob, you might just be savoring a bite of agricultural wizardry that saves the planet. Cheers to our scientific sorcerers!
Ady precarious could see a glimmer of hope. It’s not just about feeding people; it’s about nurturing the planet too, as Seefeldt points out the significant carbon footprint associated with current fertilizer production processes. Considering that 2% of the global fossil fuel supply is used up by fertilizer production, moving toward self-sufficient crops could mark a monumental shift in sustainable agriculture.
Interview with Lance Seefeldt
Today, I have the pleasure of speaking with Lance Seefeldt, a biochemist at Utah State University and one of the driving forces behind this groundbreaking research. Lance, thank you for joining us!
**Interviewer:** “Lance, your research sounds absolutely revolutionary! Can you explain what inspired you and your team to pursue the goal of creating self-sufficient nitrogen-fixing crops?”
**Lance Seefeldt:** “Absolutely! The increasing necessity for sustainable food production was a massive motivator. Traditional fertilizers are not just costly; they’re also harmful to the environment. By focusing on genetic engineering to enable crops to fix nitrogen, we aim to tackle food scarcity while simultaneously reducing agricultural carbon footprints. It seemed like the logical next step in biotech!”
**Interviewer:** “You mentioned the seven genes that are crucial for this nitrogen fixation process. How did you determine which genes were necessary?”
**Lance Seefeldt:** “It’s been quite the journey! We started with a broader range of genes and through a series of experiments, we were able to narrow it down to these seven. The fascinating part is that we discovered some genes considered essential could actually be omitted, allowing us to streamline the process significantly.”
**Interviewer:** “That’s impressive! Given the environmental challenges we’re facing, how do you envision the broader impact of your work?”
**Lance Seefeldt:** “I see this work having a dual impact. Not only will it potentially alleviate hunger in underdeveloped regions, but it can also mitigate the environmental issues associated with conventional farming practices. This is particularly crucial as we face climate-induced droughts. It’s about improving food security while caring for our planet.”
**Interviewer:** “And it’s not just Earth where you see potential applications, right?”
**Lance Seefeldt:** “Exactly! We’re also looking into how this could support sustainable food production for long-duration space missions with NASA. Imagine astronauts growing their own food on Mars without needing to rely on complex supply chains—it’s an exciting frontier!”
**Interviewer:** “Before we wrap up, do you think the public is ready to embrace crops that can fix their own nitrogen?”
**Lance Seefeldt:** “I believe so. People are becoming more aware of the environmental implications of food production. Transparency in genetic engineering approaches and clear communication about safety and benefits will foster understanding and acceptance. Our goal is to make these innovations accessible and beneficial for all!”
Thanks, Lance! I can’t wait to see how these self-sustaining crops evolve and contribute to a more sustainable future.
