Taking legumes as an example for being the only plant type of naturally fixing atmospheric nitrogen to self-fertilize (which is why they are used in fallow fields), scientists at the University of Nottingham in the UK have isolated a strain of naturally occuring bacteria found in sugar cane that will work with many other plants to allow them to fixate atmospheric nitrogen as well. It isn’t genetic modification, rather, an innoculation that coats the seed prior to planting. The are focusing their efforts on cereal crops at the moment, but one could see the technology working its way into the ornamental industry. If successful, this could greatly reduce the use of petrochemical based nitrogen fertilizers and composted manure and greatly reduce water pollution from runoff. And your lawn would be green all the time!
Check out the full announcement with video here:
http://www.nottingham.ac.uk/news/pressreleases/2013/july/world-changing-technology-enables-crops-to-take-nitrogen-from-the-air-.aspx
.