Selection and Breeding of Corn to Enhance Associative Bacterial Nitrogen Fixation

摘要

We have increased, through screening and breeding, the ability of corn (maize, Zea mays L.) to support bacterial nitrogen fixation in or on corn roots. Isotopic N fixed from exp 15 N sub 2 was found on the roots. Even though the nitrogen-fixing association depends on germ plasm from tropical corn, the activity can be bred into corn currently used in midwestern United States agriculture. (ERA citation 06:021076)