Breakthrough: Newly Discovered Algae Might Cut Fertilizer Use Forever

Imagine plants are like hungry children who need a special ingredient—nitrogen—to grow strong. Normally, they get it from fertilizers, which farmers add to the soil. But scientists just found a tiny algae in the ocean that can make its own nitrogen, without needing fertilizer!

This algae has a tiny helper inside it called a nitroplast—kind of like a built-in kitchen where it cooks up nitrogen from the air. This is a big deal because, until now, scientists thought only bacteria could do this trick.

Why does this matter? Well, if we can use this discovery to engineer crops that do the same, farmers may no longer need to use as many fertilizers. That means cheaper farming, less pollution, and healthier soils—all thanks to this little ocean algae working its magic.

To an uninitiated, the Nitrogen fixation is the process of converting atmospheric nitrogen (N₂) into a biologically usable form, such as ammonia (NH₃). Even though nitrogen makes up about 78% of Earth's atmosphere, plants can't absorb it directly. Instead, they rely on nitrogen-fixing organisms—like bacteria in soil or, as recent research suggests, certain algae—to transform nitrogen into compounds they can use for growth.

This process is crucial because nitrogen is a key nutrient for plants, directly influencing their ability to produce proteins, enzymes, and chlorophyll. Without nitrogen fixation, ecosystems would struggle to sustain life, and farmers would be far more dependent on synthetic fertilizers, which can contribute to environmental issues like soil degradation and water pollution.

In a latest this month, researchers have discovered a marine alga, Braarudosphaera bigelowii, that can fix nitrogen thanks to a newly identified organelle called a nitroplast. This is groundbreaking because, until now, nitrogen fixation was thought to be exclusive to bacteria and archaea.

 

Braarudosphaera

The nitroplast evolved from a symbiotic bacterium that started living inside the alga about 100 million years ago. Over time, it became an integral part of the algal cell, allowing it to convert atmospheric nitrogen into ammonia-a process crucial for plant growth.

Over time, this bacterium became an integral part of the algal cell, functioning as an organelle rather than a separate organism. The nitroplast converts atmospheric nitrogen (N₂) into ammonia (NH₃), a crucial nutrient for plant growth.

How It Was Identified

Researchers used soft X-ray tomography to observe the nitroplast’s behavior during cell division, confirming that it divides in sync with other organelles.

Genetic analysis revealed that the nitroplast relies on proteins from the host alga, further supporting its classification as an organelle rather than a free-living symbiont.

This discovery could pave the way for genetically engineered crops that require little to no fertilizer, reducing environmental impact and agricultural costs.

The discovery of nitrogen-fixing algae opens up exciting possibilities—potentially reducing the need for artificial fertilizers while promoting sustainable agriculture.