This cobblestone in the pond is the publication of an article (1) in which it is shown that a new class of biological products designed to improve non-leguminous crops by fixing atmospheric nitrogen has no scientific basis.

Nitrogen fixation by bacteria associated with leguminous plants[1] is a proven way of reducing nitrogen fertiliser inputs to these crops and subsequent crops in the same field. Inoculating these crops with rhizobial bacteria has become standard practice. More recently, identical solutions have been developed for non-legumes[2], opening tremendous agronomic and environmental prospects. Huge sums of money have been invested in inoculants that should revolutionise agriculture and correct climate change.

In a masterly fashion, the authors return to the fundamentals of science, which, according to Popper, require that scientific experimentation should always seek to falsify (refutate) a ‘null hypothesis’, a theory that has not been demonstrated.

It is therefore with method that they demystify the craze for a phenomenon that has not been observed.

We find no unequivocal evidence that these bacteria fix agriculturally significant amounts of N₂ from the atmosphere in non-legumes.

If certain plant responses are indeed observed, this is due to other stimulatory effects.

As the authors write, the zillions of nullars (N, the currency of illusions) and the talents invested in them would have prospered better in other fields. This is just one example of the costly distractions that have led to a nasty ‘groupthink’.

As the title of the article says, this science is losing its way.

(1) Giller KE, James EK, Ardley J, Unkovich MJ. Science losing its way : examples from the realm of microbial ­ N 2 ‑ fixation in cereals and other non ‑ legumes. Plant Soil [Internet]. 2024;(0123456789).
Available from: https://doi.org/10.1007/s11104-024-07001-1

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[1]    Soya, groundnuts, alfalfa, clover, peas, beans, lentils, chickpeas

[2]    Rice, sugar cane, wheat, maize.

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