This bacteria lives on the plant's roots in cell collections called nodules. The nodules are biological factories that can take nitrogen out of the air and convert it into an organic form that the plant can use. Because the bacteria live right on the root, it transfers the nutrient directly into the plant. This fertilization method has been designed by nature. With a large population of the friendly bacteria on its roots, the legume can use naturally-occurring nitrogen instead of an expensive traditional nitrogen fertilizer.
Legumes are an important source of protein for humans.
If legume crops can be made more productive at a lower cost, their protein energy can be made available to the developing world. VAM MBR is also developing a fungus which is greedy for phosphate. Most plants and organisms stop taking up nutrients when they are full. VAM grows on the roots of horticultural crops and doesn't know when to stop. It is constantly taking up phosphate and exporting it directly to the plant.