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Download PDF A new seed treatment that enables crop plants to fix nitrogen from the atmosphere is available to UK growers this autumn. CPM charts the new technology’s journey from academia, to outer space and now to the field. Initial work with Tiros indicates a 20% reduction in nitrogen use is possible. By Lucy de la Pasture Look into the night sky and you may see a fast-moving streak of light. Some 408km above the Earth, it marks the path of the International Space Station as it orbits the planet at 18,000mph. On board is a technology that’s being tested in preparation for man’s planned visit to Mars. It’s a development which will enable crops to be grown in space flight but it’s also set to benefit UK growers, who will be the first to have access to it in the form of a new endophyte seed treatment, Tiros. The story began along the banks of the Snoqualmie River in western Washington State, where two pioneer plant species thrive – poplar and willow, explains Prof Sharon Doty of University of Washington. Endophytes applied to seed bring benefits for the entire life cycle of the crop. “Originating from high alpine snow…
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