Solar-Powered N2-Fixing Cyanobacteria for Bio-Nitrogen Fertilizer Production and Soil Health Improvement: A Sustainable Farming Approach

Sustainable farming techniques are required due to the depletion of soil nitrogen (N) and the environmental consequences of synthetic fertilizers. The possibility of solar-powered N2-fixing cyanobacteria as an effective approach for improving soil health and bio-N fertilization is examined in this chapter. Since cyanobacteria is naturally able to fix nitrogen from the atmosphere and are also able to use photosynthesis to capture solar energy, they offer a sustainable substitute for traditional fertilizing techniques. We go over the processes that underlie cyanobacterial N2 fixation, focusing on the function of nitrogenase enzymes and the complex regulatory systems that control their activity. We additionally evaluate how cyanobacterial inoculation affects elements of soil health such as microbial diversity and nutrient availability. In addition, we clarify methods for genetic engineering and environmental manipulation that maximize cyanobacterial N2 fixation rates. Using cyanobacterial bio-N fertilization in agricultural systems is a sustainable way to improve soil fertility, lessen reliance on N fertilizers, and cut down on pollution. This chapter highlights the potential of solar-powered cyanobacteria as a viable means of promoting resilient agriculture in the face of global issues and boosting sustainable farming methods.