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Scientists Hope Deeper-Rooted Soybeans Can Withstand Climate Extremes and Store More Carbon
An $18 million Bezos Earth Fund grant is funding field trials to test whether deeper roots can store more carbon and improve yields.
- Researchers at the Salk Institute are field-testing genetically modified, deep-rooted soybeans across Illinois, Missouri, Kansas, and Iowa to improve drought resilience and increase soil carbon storage.
- Scientists identified 347 genes related to root growth and carbon storage, then leveraged natural genetic variation to edit plant DNA and create roots penetrating deeper into soil.
- An $18 million grant from the Bezos Earth Fund supports field trials using canopy-controlled environments and underground cameras to measure plant performance against drought and track soil carbon in real-time.
- Wolfgang Busch, director of the Harnessing Plants Initiative, said initial results are expected this fall while researchers work to ensure these crops maintain consistent yields alongside carbon benefits.
- Large-Scale adoption could remove a gigaton of carbon dioxide annually by 2040, though Busch emphasized that demonstrating clear benefits to farmers is essential for rapid commercial uptake.
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Associated Press News+17 Reposted by 17 other sources
Scientists hope deeper-rooted soybeans can withstand climate extremes and store more carbon
For years, scientists have explored ways to remove carbon from the atmosphere, including through direct air capture, changes to ocean chemistry so seawater can absorb more carbon and reforestation.
·New York, United States
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Total News Sources18
Leaning Left7Leaning Right0Center10Last UpdatedBias Distribution59% Center
Bias Distribution
- 59% of the sources are Center
59% Center
L 41%
C 59%
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