Ammonia Accumulation of Novel Nitrogen-Fixing Bacteria

Nitrogen is an essential element for many biological processes, including those occurring in plants (Ogura et al., 2006). Despite the abundance of atmospheric nitrogen, production of nitrogen fertilisers by the Harber–Bosch process is increasing annually due to the deficiency of ammonia produced by biological nitrogen fixation—the enzyme-catalyzed reduction of nitrogen gas (N2). Concern over ‘greenhouse’ gasses emitted by the Harber–Bosch process has resulted in a research focus on nitrogen-fixing bacteria, and in particular, their genetic modification to excrete excess ammonia for agricultural purposes (Terzaghi, 1980; Saikia & Jain, 2007).