Revolution in agriculture: genetically modified microbes supply nitrogen!

Revolution in agriculture: genetically modified microbes supply nitrogen!

A revolutionary study published today in the prestigious journal Scientific Reports shows that genetically modified microbes can represent a significant advance in nitrogen supplies for farmers. Researchers at the University of Wisconsin-Madison, Purdue University and Pivot Bio have demonstrated that these microbes are capable of fixing atmospheric nitrogen and providing it to grow corn, which is comparable to using 40 pounds of synthetic nitrogen fertilizer. This means farmers can potentially reduce their use of chemical fertilizers without sacrificing yields, as the study shows in detailed experiments, PRNewswire reports.

Pivot Bio's genetically engineered microbes utilize a novel technique known as biological nitrogen fixation (BNF). According to Dr. According to Karsten Temme, Pivot Bio's Chief Innovation Officer, these microbes' ability to fix nitrogen is not affected, even when used in nutrient-rich soils. This means that nitrogen can be delivered to the plants more efficiently, which has enormous benefits for agriculture and the environment, as the results of the field studies show. The microbes are easier for farmers to manage and help save companies money and time, TechCrunch also reports, which also notes the new round of $430 million in funding the company has received to further develop this promising technology.

Important research results and their significance

The most significant results of this research mark not only a technological advance, but also a challenge for conventional agriculture. The researchers can show that the genetically modified microbes work under real-world conditions and can therefore provide a practical solution to reducing dependence on synthetic fertilizers. Dr. Bruno Basso, an expert in environmental science, highlights that Pivot Bio's solution could help reduce the environmental impact of nutrient losses and significantly increase the efficiency of nitrogen use. “The more we can replace synthetic fertilizers with more sustainable sources, the better it will be for farmers and the environment,” Basso said.

This innovative method could pave the way to transform agriculture by both reducing costs for farmers and having a positive impact on the ecosystem. The full study results have been published in the scientific literature and underline the relevance of these new approaches in agriculture.