After many prototypes, I think I’ve got a good design for an inexpensive (<$1000) scientific instrument, mounted on a single printed-circuit board, to measure biological nitrogen fixation and its costs to plants. I’m documenting the assembly and testing of the board in a series of videos, if anyone is interested in following my progress. I plan to test the board using a bunch of soybean and common-bean plants that we just started. Assuming it works well, I plan to self-publish a book with circuit diagrams, parts lists, and the Python programs I’m using, hoping that will inspire a few nitrogen-fixation researchers to build and use the LEGACY system, which also includes software for monitoring growth of plants and nodulated roots. I don’t plan to sell the instrument — it’s OK with me if someone else does — but I might build a couple extra to lend to collaborators.

Why LEGACY? 

1. I hope that my legacy will include ongoing use of methods that I have developed, building on work by John Witty, David Layzell, Steve Hunt, and people in my labs over the years: particularly Bob Rousseau, Toby Kiers, Will Ratcliff, Ryoko Oono, and Katherine Muller.
2. My own research focuses on potential agricultural applications of legacy effects, on rhizobia populations in soil, of legume-host sanctions against less-beneficial root nodules.
3. Less-efficient genotypes are constraining crop yields!
4. Legumes exchange gases, as can you!
5. Let’s explore gains across crop years!