Engineering Plant-Microbe Symbiosis to Unlock Next-Generation Nitrogen Fixation and Phosphorus Uptake
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.64229/tj7qx006Keywords:
Synthetic Biology, Biological Nitrogen Fixation, Phosphorus Solubilization, Arbuscular Mycorrhiza, Rhizobia, Cereal Engineering, Plant MicrobiomeAbstract
The Green Revolution of the 20th century was largely sustained by the intensive application of synthetic nitrogen (N) fertilizers and phosphorus (P)-based fertilizers. However, the economic and environmental costs of this dependency are untenable in the long term, contributing significantly to greenhouse gas emissions, aquatic eutrophication, and soil degradation. In contrast, nature has evolved sophisticated plant-microbe symbioses, most notably legume-rhizobia interactions for biological nitrogen fixation (BNF) and arbuscular mycorrhizal (AM) fungi associations for phosphorus acquisition, which operate with high efficiency and minimal environmental impact. This review posits that the strategic engineering of these symbiotic systems represents the most promising pathway to developing the next generation of sustainable agricultural practices. We synthesize recent advances in our understanding of the molecular dialogues, genetic networks, and metabolic cross-talk that underpin these symbioses. A core focus is on the emerging strategies to "de-orphan" non-legume crops, such as cereals, by equipping them with the genetic machinery to initiate and maintain nitrogen-fixing nodules with rhizobia. Concurrently, we explore the engineering of enhanced phosphorus scavenging and uptake through the optimization of mycorrhizal associations and the plant's own P-starvation response (PSR) machinery. We discuss synthetic biology approaches, including the design of minimal genetic modules for symbiosis, the manipulation of phytohormone signaling, and the engineering of microbial communities (microbiomes) to create synergistic, beneficial consortia. Furthermore, we critically evaluate the challenges of ensuring the stability, efficiency, and field-level robustness of these engineered symbioses. By integrating insights from plant genetics, microbiology, and synthetic biology, this article charts a course toward a new era of agriculture where crops are empowered to harness atmospheric nitrogen and soil phosphorus through tailored symbiotic partnerships, drastically reducing the need for chemical inputs and enhancing global food security.
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