Climate challenges and the growing demand for sustainable agriculture make the role of biological nitrogen fixation (BNF) more critical than ever. The European Nitrogen Fixation Conference (ENFC) is a biennial congress that brings together new insights and innovations to reduce reliance on synthetic fertilisers and move toward greener farming. It gathers scientists investigating BNF from different prospects (e.g. biochemistry, microbiology, ecology, plant physiology, etc.), aiming to promoting plant growth while maintaining soil health.
In this 16th edition, the programme combines classical topics (e.g. nitrogenase biochemistry and bioengineering, evolution of symbiosis, symbiotic signalling, nodule development and functioning, or regulation of N2 fixation in soil and aquatic free-living microorganisms) with highly relevant and timely topics for modern society (e.g. bioengineering and synthetic biology or environmental and agronomic impact of BNF). The more recent advancements of approaches aimed to transfer BNF capability to cereal crops and to the rewiring of free-living bacteria to secrete ammonium will be presented and discussed. Special emphasis will be given to the agricultural implications, reinforcing a dialog between scientists involved in soil and marine management, including also non-legume nitrogen fixation and mycorrhizal symbioses. This 16th ENFC will provide unique opportunities and specialised sessions to share and discuss latest scientific achievements in BNF and the molecular interaction between plants and symbiotic microorganisms.
