A major breakthrough in N-fixing bacteria came following the discovery that a specific strain of N-fixing bacteria in sugarcane has the ability to colonize intracellularly all major crops. The discovery is reported by the world renowned plant scientist, Professor E. C. Cocking at the Nottingham University, Director for Crop Nitrogen Fixation.

 Prof. Edward Cocking. Nottingham University

Speaking about the newly discovered technology, which is known as ‘N-Fix’, Professor Cocking said, “Helping plants to naturally obtain the nitrogen they need,  is a key aspect of World Food Security. The world needs to unhook itself from its ever increasing reliance on synthetic nitrogen fertilizers produced from fossil fuels with its high economic costs, its pollution of the environment and its high energy costs.”

This ground-breaking development potentially provides every cell  in the plant with the ability to fix atmospheric nitrogen. The implications for agriculture are enormous as this new technology can provide much of the plant’s nitrogen needs.