Nitrogen Fixation by Rhizobacterial Nif Mechanism: An Advanced Genetic Perspective

Abstract

The global population’s rising nutritional needs pose a challenge, demanding a 70% boost in agricultural efficiency to feed 10 billion people by 2050. This task is complicated by limited arable land and the imperative to reduce agrochemical usage. To overcome this, harnessing rhizobacteria and comprehending nif gene mechanisms to enhance nitrogen fixation is crucial. Nif genes encode enzymes, converting atmospheric nitrogen into vital ammonia found in diverse prokaryotes. Nitrogen-fixing bacteria, categorized as autogenous, symbiotic, and combined, collaborate with plants or independently fix nitrogen. Nitrogenase enzymes, represented by Mo, V, and Fe forms, enable this conversion. Nif operons, like nifRLA, nifHDK, nifENB, nifJ, nifUSVM, and nifWF, are pivotal in nitrogen fixation, synthesizing components, and regulating enzymes. Biotech advancements, like 2A peptides and gene manipulation, show promise in boosting crop yields. Translating rhizobacterial nitrogen fixation to cereals could revolutionize agriculture and global food security.

Omics approaches in understanding the benefits of plant-microbe interactions

“…Nif operons, such as nifHDK, nifRLA, nifENB, nifUSVM, nifJ, and nifWF, constitute a core genetic component of diazotrophs, which are free-living anaerobic bacteria capable of nitrogen fixation. Notable examples include Azotobacter vinelandii, Klebsiella pneumoniae, Rhodobacter capsulatus , and Rhodospirillum rubrum (Idris Usman and Muazu Wali, 2024 ). These genes are pivotal in nitrogen fixation, as they synthesize essential components and regulate enzymes crucial for the process.…”