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Biological Nitrogen Fixation Research Challenges - A Review of Research Grants Funded by the U.S. Agency for International Development (1994) / Chapter Skim
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EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
Pages 1-4

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From page 1...
... They should be environmentally benign and should produce food that is safe for human consumption. The great challenge lies in devising more sustainable farming systems without compromising food production levels; indeed, increased productivity will be necessary to accommodate global population growth.
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From page 2...
... Whatever type of fertilizer nitrogen is applied, microbial action converts it to nitrate, a mobile form that is assimilated by plants and is subject to loss from surface-water movement, thereby polluting streams and rivers and eventually affecting estuarine and marine ecosystems. Furthermore, nitrate may leach into groundwater aquifers, contaminating wells and placing human health at risk.
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From page 3...
... Research topics included various legumes, breeding, farming systems, trees and shrubs, azolla, environment, modeling, pathology, pests, drought tolerance, tissue culture, molecular biology, salt tolerance, strain improvement, competitiveness, genetic engineering, DNA identification, associative nitrogen fixation, interaction with micorrhizae, and microbial antagonisms. Clearly, these research grants had a major impact both scientifically and in terms of professional development.
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From page 4...
... However, there now exists a sound technological base, much detailed knowledge of nitrogen-fixing processes, and molecular genetic tools to foster the formulation and accomplishment of realistic goals as outlined in this report. A high priority for increased investment in BNF is justified by the opportunities to reduce or replace the growing cost of fertilizer nitrogen, currently more than $20 billion per year, to minimize the multifaceted local and global environmental damage that it causes, and to sustain the food needs of an expanding world population.
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Key Terms

  • atmospheric nitrogen
  • biological nitrogen
  • food production
  • nitrogen fixation
  • world population

  • nitrous oxide
  • developing world
  • sustainable farming
  • grants program
  • molecular genetic

  • global warming
  • global nitrogen
  • nitrogen cycle
  • expanding world
  • abundant applications

  • synthetic chemical
  • green manure
  • grain harvest
  • nitrogen demands
  • industrial production

  • technicians capable
  • increased productivity
  • compounding recalcitrant
  • grow vigorously
  • nitrogen justifies

  • manure incorporated
  • dna identification
  • convert nitrate
  • building material
  • strain improvement


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