Unlocking associative nitrogen fixation in Poaceae: molecular mechanisms, regulatory constraints, and pathways to sustainable productivity
4 affiliations
- 1Key Laboratory of Sugarcane Biotechnology and Genetic Improvement (Guangxi), Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs
- 2Department of Agriculture, SAM Global University
- 3Institute of Sciences, SAGE University
- 4Department of Life Sciences and Biological Sciences, IES University
Abstract
Biological nitrogen fixation (BNF) is a sustainable and environmentally friendly approach to nitrogen assimilation that extends beyond leguminous plants, where efficient nitrogen fixation occurs. Poaceae crops can also obtain nitrogen through associative nitrogen fixation (ANF) mediated by endophytic and rhizospheric diazotrophs, which typically contributes 10–30 kg N ha ⁻¹ yr. ⁻¹ to cereal crops, i.e., wheat, maize, rice, though certain tropical grasses, such as sugarcane may achieve up to 40–50 kg N ha ⁻¹ yr. ⁻¹ under optimal conditions. This review synthesizes recent advancements of ANF research across Poaceae crops, providing comprehensive analysis of their functional mechanisms. It explores the underlying mechanisms regulating ANF and assesses key factors influencing nitrogenase activity, including oxygen sensitivity, external nitrogen availability, and energy constraints. Furthermore, it discusses advanced strategies, such as genetic engineering of nitrogen-fixing microbes, host plant metabolic modifications, and optimized agronomic strategies to enhance nitrogen fixation efficacy. This review establishes a robust framework for sustainable crop production and long-term agricultural productivity by integrating molecular, physiological, and ecological perspectives. The major challenges of climate change, regional fertilizer restrictions, and achieving sustainable agricultural intensification collectively underscore the urgent need for biologically based nitrogen management strategies in cereal cropping systems.
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BibTeX
@article{nong2026unlocking,
title = {{Unlocking associative nitrogen fixation in Poaceae: molecular mechanisms, regulatory constraints, and pathways to sustainable productivity}},
author = {Qian Nong and Qiang Liang and Xing Huang and Li Lin and Anjali Chandrol Solanki and Mukesh Kumar Malviya and Manoj Kumar Solanki and Krishan K. Verma and Changning Li},
journal = {Frontiers in Microbiology},
year = {2026},
month = oct,
doi = {10.3389/fmicb.2026.1922705},
url = {https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fmicb.2026.1922705/full},
note = {CC BY 4.0},
}
RIS
TY - JOUR
TI - Unlocking associative nitrogen fixation in Poaceae: molecular mechanisms, regulatory constraints, and pathways to sustainable productivity
AU - Qian Nong
AU - Qiang Liang
AU - Xing Huang
AU - Li Lin
AU - Anjali Chandrol Solanki
AU - Mukesh Kumar Malviya
AU - Manoj Kumar Solanki
AU - Krishan K. Verma
AU - Changning Li
PY - 2026
DA - 2026/10/05
JO - Frontiers in Microbiology
DO - 10.3389/fmicb.2026.1922705
UR - https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fmicb.2026.1922705/full
AB - Biological nitrogen fixation (BNF) is a sustainable and environmentally friendly approach to nitrogen assimilation that extends beyond leguminous plants, where efficient nitrogen fixation occurs. Poaceae crops can also obtain nitrogen through associative nitrogen fixation (ANF) mediated by endophytic and rhizospheric diazotrophs, which typically contributes 10–30 kg N ha ⁻¹ yr. ⁻¹ to cereal crops, i.e., wheat, maize, rice, though certain tropical grasses, such as sugarcane may achieve up to 40–50 kg N ha ⁻¹ yr. ⁻¹ under optimal conditions. This review synthesizes recent advancements of ANF research across Poaceae crops, providing comprehensive analysis of their functional mechanisms. It explores the underlying mechanisms regulating ANF and assesses key factors influencing nitrogenase activity, including oxygen sensitivity, external nitrogen availability, and energy constraints. Furthermore, it discusses advanced strategies, such as genetic engineering of nitrogen-fixing microbes, host plant metabolic modifications, and optimized agronomic strategies to enhance nitrogen fixation efficacy. This review establishes a robust framework for sustainable crop production and long-term agricultural productivity by integrating molecular, physiological, and ecological perspectives. The major challenges of climate change, regional fertilizer restrictions, and achieving sustainable agricultural intensification collectively underscore the urgent need for biologically based nitrogen management strategies in cereal cropping systems.
SN - 1664-302X
ER -