Darian Smercina, PhD student in the Tiemann lab, recently published an exciting review titled To Fix or Not To Fix: Controls on Free-Living Nitrogen Fixation in the Rhizosphere. Published in Applied and Environmental Microbiology, the paper explores Free Living Nitrogen Fixation (FLNF) as a form of biological N fixation distinct from symbiotic N fixation that may be harnessed to reduce fertilizer inputs in cropping systems. Specifically, the review outlines the ways that environmental conditions and resource availability may control FLNF for a diverse range of rhizosphere diazotroph taxa and offers methodological recommendations to address knowledge gaps in future FLNF studies. Check out the paper to learn more!