One promising approach to balance the need for fertilizer and the welfare of the environment, is the development of plants that can fix atmospheric nitrogen independently. This innovation would not only reduce the need for synthetic fertilizers and manure but also help mitigate climate change and the nitrogen crisis. To this end, we need to better study the nitroplast and how it could be introduced into other cells. <br><br>
Finally, while the nitroplast could significantly reduce the need for nitrogen fertilizers, it would also consume energy from its host. Although photosynthesis should supply the plant with sufficient energy for nitrogen fixation, this energy expenditure might impact the growth rate or yield of crops. To assess the potential consequences of nitrogen-fixing staple crops, we will use <strong>metabolic models</strong> to predict effects on growth rate, and <strong>economic models</strong> to link crop yields to farmers’ budgets and profits. <br><br>
Our project <strong>lays the foundation for the transplantation of nitroplast</strong> into their algal hosts, allowing for the creation of nitrogen-fixing eukaryote strains. The emergence of nitrogen-fixing plants could lead to a significant drop in fertilizer demand, and consequently in both carbon emissions and nitrogen pollution. <br><br>
