Improving nutrient capture from soil by the genetic manipulation of crop plants
Modern agricultural practices require the massive application of fertilizer to soils worldwide. In the USA alone, millions of tons of fertilizer are applied to agricultural soils each year. The adverse environmental impact and high cost of fertilizer use underscore the importance of improving the capability of plants to capture nutrients from soil. Therefore, engineering plants with improved micronutrient uptake may help in creating sustainable agriculture in the next century.
Hirsch
RE
Department of Zoology, University of Wisconsin, Madison, WI 53706, USA.
Sussman
MR