We know from research on the human microbiome—the trillions of microbes that live on and around us—that it affects everything from our mood to how likely we are to get cancer. Plants, it turns out, have a microbiome of their own, and just as antibiotics wreak havoc on the human microbiome, pesticides and other chemicals have affected the health of crops. A startup called Indigo is working on dosing seeds in healthy microbes, so that farmers can grow as much as 10% more food, and, as the technology develops, yields may increase even more. It’s too early to tell, but this could be a breakthrough in how to feed a growing world population.
Probiotics for plants could help feed the world
More of Today's Solutions
All city buildings in Chicago are now powered by renewable energy
BY THE OPTIMIST DAILY EDITORIAL TEAM Chicago entered 2024 with a landmark achievement: every one of its 411 municipal buildings, from City Hall to ...
Read MoreHow unique leopard calls could impact conservation
BY THE OPTIMIST DAILY EDITORIAL TEAM Leopards, renowned for their stealth and solitary nature, have always been challenging to study. However, groundbreaking research revealed that ...
Read MoreThese solar-powered barges can scoop up 50 tons of plastic from rivers each day
While removing the plastic waste that currently contaminates the ocean today will be crucial for protecting marine ecosystems, it is arguably more important that ...
Read MoreWashington’s first human compost company is open for business
Washington passed a law in 2019 allowing citizens to compost themselves after death for a more sustainable burial process. Fast forward a year later ...
Read More
