N$_2$-Fixing Cyanobacteria and Their Potential Applications [and Discussion]
Cyanobacteria are N$_2$-fixing oxygenic phototrophs with potential as sources of nitrogenous biofertilizer independent of fossil fuels. Recently, attention has been paid to their role in this respect, and to strain selection to facilitate enhanced agricultural productivity. The capacities to fix N$_...
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Published in | Philosophical transactions. Biological sciences Vol. 317; no. 1184; p. 245 |
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Main Authors | , , , , , , |
Format | Journal Article |
Language | English |
Published |
The Royal Society
24.09.1987
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Online Access | Get full text |
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Summary: | Cyanobacteria are N$_2$-fixing oxygenic phototrophs with potential as sources of nitrogenous biofertilizer
independent of fossil fuels. Recently, attention has been paid to their role in this respect, and to strain selection to facilitate
enhanced agricultural productivity. The capacities to fix N$_2$ in the presence of combined nitrogen, to resist
herbicides and to tolerate salinity changes and desiccation are of particular importance. Mutant strains of N$_2$-fixing
cyanobacteria with potential applications have been produced, including strains which photoproduce ammonia and amino acids,
strains with altered transport systems and strains which are herbicide-resistant. By using bioreactors and immobilization
systems in conjunction with these strains, techniques have been developed for extracellular product-liberation. Gene transfer
systems are now available in both unicellular and filamentous cyanobacteria and these offer the possibility of strain selection
and modification. The way in which these advances will contribute to the development of strains with desirable attributes
for use in the field is discussed. |
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ISSN: | 0962-8436 1471-2970 |
DOI: | 10.1098/rstb.1987.0060 |