Trends and Perspectives in Nitrogen Fixation Research

Abstract

This chapter focuses on the research efforts that are made for the study of various perspectives such as chemistry, biochemistry, physiology, genetics, and general biology of nitrogen fixation process. Models to study nitrogenase function are discussed. The properties of the dinitrogen complexes of the transition metals are studied. The biochemistry aspect includes the discussion on dinitrogen-binding site and enzymology of nitrogenases. To understand the genetics, klebsiella and azotobacter models are studied. K. pneumonia was the first major subject for the study of nif genetics, because it is uncomplicated by alternative nif systems and its nif genes are clustered into the familiar regulon. The physiology of a microbe is the resultant of the interaction of its genetics and its biochemistry. The study of diazotrophy in its more biological aspects-which include ecology, symbioses per se, and applied research directed towards agriculture, forestry, etc,- is the major pre-occupation of the over 150 laboratories engaged in nitrogen fixation research throughout the world.