Increasing Nitrogen-Fixing Capacity of Soybeans
Monday, September 29, 2014 - 08:30
in Earth & Climate
By manipulating the molecular mechanisms that regulate soybean nodules formation, assistant professor Senthil Subramanian hopes to develop soybeans that are more efficient in making nodules and fixing nitrogen. The South Dakota State University plant scientist has documented how micro-RNA 160 affect nodule development and will identify the key roles of specific micro-RNAs in the formation of the two nodule zones through a five-year National Science Foundation Early Career Award. Crops that produce more nitrogen will require less fertilizer, thus lowering production costs and reducing the potential for runoff that can impact the environment.
