Nitrogen fixation 'off switch' discovery could one day help crops make their own fertilizer

Nitrogen gas makes up most of the air, but most living things cannot use it directly. Certain microbes fix nitrogen by converting the gas into ammonia. This conversion is performed by an enzyme called nitrogenase, which allows organisms to build proteins, DNA, and other cellular components. The process is essential for life on Earth.

Nitrogen is essential for life. It's needed to build proteins, DNA and many other components of cells. Although nitrogen gas makes up almost 80% of Earth's atmosphere, most organisms cannot use it directly. Certain microbes solve this problem through a process called nitrogen fixation, which converts nitrogen gas into ammonia. This process is carried out by an enzyme called nitrogenase.

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