Future benefits from biological nitrogen fixation: an ecological approach to agriculture

Ladha, J.K. and Peoples, M.B. (1995) Future benefits from biological nitrogen fixation: an ecological approach to agriculture. Plant and Soil, 174 (1-2). pp. 255-277.

PDF Restricted to ICRISAT researchers only

Abstract

Strategies for the enhancement and exploitation of biological nitrogen fixation are assessed with attention to the likely timescales for realization of benefits in agriculture. Benefits arising from breeding of legumes for N2-fixation and rhizobial str. selection have less potential to increase inputs of fixed N than alleviation of environmental stresses or changes in farming systems to include more legumes. Genetic engineering may result in substantial enhancement of N2-fixation, particularly if the ability to fix N2 is transferred to other crops, but these are long-term goals. Immediate marked enhancements in inputs from N2-fixation are possible simply by implementation of existing technical knowledge. Apart from political and economic barriers to the use of agricultural inputs, better communication between researchers and farmers is required to ensure proper focus of research and development of appropriate technologies. Legumes must be considered within the context of the farming systems within which they are grown and not in isolation. Correct integration of legumes requires good understanding of the role of the legume within the system and a better understanding of the relative contributions of N sources and the fates of fixed N

Item Type:	Article
Author Affiliation:	Department of Biological Sciences, Wye College, University of London, Ashford, TN25 5AH, UK
Subjects:	Plant Production > Farming Systems
Divisions:	Chickpea Pigeonpea
Depositing User:	Syamala
Date Deposited:	20 Apr 2011 05:56
Last Modified:	20 Apr 2011 05:56
Official URL:	http://dx.doi.org/10.1007/BF00032251
URI:	http://eprints.icrisat.ac.in/id/eprint/1792

Actions (login required)

View Item