Nitrogen-fixing

Scientists have transferred a collection of genes into plant-colonizing bacteria that let them draw nitrogen from the air and turn it into ammonia, a natural fertilizer.

Got nitrogen? If plants asked questions, that might be one farmers would hear frequently. For plants, nitrogen is food. By talking to the region’s small farmers about the challenges they face, Washington State University researchers learned that understanding soil fertility–the availability of food for plants-–is a top priority. Based on that need, soil scientist Doug […]

WSU Receives $5 Million Investment to Support Organic Ag, Model Farm Washington State University took another giant step in becoming the world’s model for research, teaching and extension in organic and sustainable agriculture, thanks to a $5 million donor investment by alumni and natural foods pioneers Chuck and Louanna Eggert and their family. Their gift […]

QUINCY, Wash. – Field-scale trials of four different perennial legumes seeded in orchard alleys to fix nitrogen will be on display during a field tour being organized by Washington State University’s Center for Sustaining Agriculture and Natural Resources. The field tour will take place on Tuesday, Aug. 11, from 4 to 5:30 p.m., at Warren […]

PULLMAN, Wash. – Researchers at Washington State University and in the United Kingdom have announced a discovery that may someday allow the world’s farmers to decrease their dependence on nitrogen fertilizers, resulting in billions in savings to farmers and a reduction in the amount of nitrogen pollution that has already turned some waterways into dead […]