Plant hemoglobin proteins help arabidopsis thaliana plants fix atmospheric nitric oxide

In Germany, the emission of nitrogen oxides (NOx) amounts to approximately 1.3 million tons per year. These emissions are mainly caused by combustion processes in industrial facilities and engines. In humans, the gaseous pollutants particularly irritate the mucous membranes in the respiratory organs and eyes. Until now it was assumed that plants cannot absorb atmospheric NO.