Exploring the Overlooked Nitrogen Transformation Pathways for Nitrogen Loss or Retention From the Soil Scenario: A Contemporary and Holistic Approach Towards Sustainability

About this Research Topic

Background

The nitrogen (N) cycle is best understood as a modular and complex network of biological N-transformation reactions carried out by metabolically diverse communities of microorganisms. The overall composition of the community greatly influences whether Nr is lost through denitrification or ANAMMOX or retained in the system through dissimilatory nitrate reduction to ammonium (DNRA). Moreover, no other element in soil can compare to nitrogen's (N) essentialities for its diverse role including plant growth and development. There is a significant difference between the transformation of N in aerobic and anaerobic soil since its transformation depends on microbial activity. Besides, denitrifying anaerobic methane oxidation (DAMO) is a dissimilatory nitrate reduction mechanism in which nitrate or nitrite is reduced anaerobically by Methylomirabilis bacteria or Methanoperedens archaea using methane as an electron donor. When estimating the global N-budget in different habitats or ecosystems, these less explored processes were not taken into account so far.

Therefore, our main goal is to bring together original research papers, perspectives, and reviews focusing on how the distribution of microbial communities in general and those that drive different N-transformation pathways changes across a range of different habitats or ecosystems. Besides, measure the significant contributions, rates, relevant factors, and candidate genes associated with the overlooked N-transforming pathways (DNRA, Denitrification, DAMO, ANAMMOX, etc.) in the N-biogeochemical cycle.

This research topic will explore:

• Aerobic and anaerobic ecology interrogation towards microbial-driven N-transforming pathways.

• Identification of taxonomy and phylogenetic players for overlooked N-transforming pathways (DNRA, Denitrification, DAMO, ANAMMOX, etc.) in different habitats or ecosystems.

• Genetic marker and regulation of different N-transforming pathways.

• Environmental drivers or factors for these pathways.

• Mechanistic basis of positive interactions between microorganisms, plants, and the soil for improving nutrient use efficiency.

• Microbial metabolic footprints and additional organic/inorganic amendments impacts on these unexplored pathways.

• Deciphering the role of potential candidate microbe through NGS and marker gene targeted metagenomic, metatranscriptomic, proteomics and other bioinformatics tools are also appreciated.

• Use of genome editing approaches for improving crop productivity and other beneficial aspects.

• Development of bioinoculants of potential microbes: use of carriers, additives, protectants, metabolites, etc.

• Novel agronomic and soil management approaches to mitigate environmental issues viz. GHG emissions and improve soil health are also appreciated.

Keywords: Dissimilatory nitrate reduction to ammonium (DNRA), Denitrification, ANAMMOX, DAMO, Nitrogen cycle, Microbial processes

Important note: All contributions to this Research Topic must be within the scope of the section and journal to which they are submitted, as defined in their mission statements. Frontiers reserves the right to guide an out-of-scope manuscript to a more suitable section or journal at any stage of peer review.

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