Why scientists want to create self-fertilizing crops

Excessive fertilizer use can be expensive and bad for the environment, but plants require nutrients to grow. To combat this problem, scientists have been attempting to use genetic engineering to help crops control their own fertilization, making them cooperate with nitrogen-fixing bacteria. The new method could fight food insecurity and save waterways.

Cropping fertilizer use

The U.S. used almost 20.1 million metric tons of fertilizer for agriculture in 2023, with nitrogen fertilizer...