Pesticide-free farming would do wonders for the world’s declining insect populations, but not all farmers are willing to take the risk of switching to more sustainable farming techniques. In an attempt to create a safer strain of pesticides that will do less harm to the planet, researchers at the Cardiff University have managed to modify a strain of bacteria to create a natural alternative that could protect crops and replace man-made chemical compounds. Their work focused on a group of bacteria, called Burkholderia, which has long been known to work as a pesticide alternative, but has also been linked to serious lung infections in people with cystic fibrosis. By modifying the bacteria, the scientists were able to remove the risk of lung infections from the bacteria while still maintaining its ability to protect crops. With further improvements, the researchers hope their pesticide alternative can play a key role in ensuring a sustainable future.
Scientists are honing in on a safer, natural alternative to pesticides
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