Fixed on Nitrogen: A Scientist's Short Story - Paperback

by David R. Dent (Author)

All royalties of this book are donated to The Sustainable Nitrogen Foundation - UK Charity no. 1180511. History has shown that none of the previous farming revolutions attempting to provide better-fed crops, have been sustainable. This is particularly true of synthetic ammonia fertilisers whose industrial production generates greenhouse gases. The discovery and farm-scale application of an endophytic bacterial, nitrogen-fixation technology has the potential to change all that. David Dent has traced the evolution of the science and a research programme that, despite the many hurdles and challenges described in this book, has created a farming revolution that should be sustainable.Starting with a serendipitous meeting in a bar in Bangkok, Thailand, a story of an extra-ordinary scientist's passion for finding a way to encourage a bacteria to colonise plants within cells and once there to fix nitrogen from the air unfolds, as the concept's potential is eventually recognised and leads to the development of an innovative crop technology applicable to both commercial and small-holder agriculture. The story of the research and the problems of bringing such an innovative disruptive technology to the market which challenged established scientific opinion and appeared to be, too good to be true, is a remarkable tale of scientific achievement, failings and passions in the attempt to deliver a much needed innovation, against the odds, to the market.Enabling plants to feed themselves through an association with a nitrogen-fixing bacteria promises greatly reduced agricultural greenhouse gas emissions, and significant crop yield improvements in parts of the world where farmers have no access to artificial fertiliser. This is a book for anyone interested in innovation, technology-led start-ups, agri-technology, the issues of climate change or food security, and of how science can solve some of the problems affecting the future of our planet.'This is a remarkable story of what is almost certainly a world-changing innovation in agriculture that allows a long-dreamed-of goal to be within reach: staple crops grown without artificial nitrogen fertiliser. David Dent's tale of how to bring a serendipitous discovery to market, in spite of naysayers and other obstacles, makes for a compelling read' Matt Ridley, author of The Rational Optimist'We are all becoming increasingly aware of the need for new solutions in agriculture to allow us to feed the planet fairly and sustainably. David Dent's account shines a light on the passion, stubbornness and pure happenchance required to get even the most amazing science out of the laboratory and into the world. Recommended for anyone interested in understanding the reality of the path for application of science, to global challenges' Dr Jayne Brookman, Head of AgriFood, KTN'This is an extraordinary book which documents a farm-scale intervention with nitrogen fixation technology. This is not just a study of scientific invention, but one that shows how hard it is to bring scientific work into practical applications and to then take it to the market. It is an exciting and important book'Sir John Beddington, Former UK Government Chief Scientific Adviser