A groundbreaking study by Northern Arizona University (NAU) and the University of California, Berkeley, published in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, has uncovered a natural nutrient production process with major potential for sustainable agriculture
Researchers found that the diatom Epithemia and nitrogen-fixing bacteria called diazoplasts work together to convert atmospheric nitrogen into plant-available nutrients.
This symbiotic system supplies up to 90% of new nitrogen in California’s Eel River ecosystem, supporting aquatic life and salmon populations.
This mechanism, found in aquatic ecosystems worldwide, could inspire sustainable innovations in agriculture and energy production.
Scientists stress that harnessing such ecological partnerships could be key to decarbonizing agriculture while maintaining productivity and supporting biodiversity.
