Contribution of Russian Scientists Towards Solution of Biological Nitrogen Fixation Problem

Abstract

Biological nitrogen fixation is a problem of the highest priority in biological and agricultural sciences in many countries of the world and on all continents. The Academy of Agricultural Sciences of Russia is, by the decree of President of Russian Federation, a coordinating and methodological centre for agricultural science in Russia. It has traditionally supported the development of not only applied research on biological nitrogen fixation but also those fundamental studies which make it possible together with the use of modern research techniques, to create novel highly effective symbiotic systems which form the basis of modern ecologically safe inoculant preparations. These preparations mark the beginning of a new era in agricultural production, namely — setting up ecologically clean agricultural production. To a great extent, it is based on optimizing basic processes occurring in agrophytocoenosis Development of this trend is a response to ecological and energy problems which agriculture has recently encountered. An increase in research activities in the area of nitrogen fixation is to a large measure associated with a constantly increasing application of mineral fertilizers, the production of which is a power consuming and expensive process. Moreover, effectiveness of the mineral nitrogen applied to the soil does not exceed 40–50% as a rule, whereas the rest is washed into basins or having undergone various chemical changes becomes one of the major factors of environmental pollution.