As reported on September 1, 2026, companies are developing engineered microbes to reduce emissions and energy use in fertilizer production, addressing a critical component of the global food supply chain. Growing research shows these biological solutions could help feed the world's crops while reducing the environmental footprint of agriculture.
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Fertilizer is crucial for the global food supply, but making it uses a lot of energy and produces a lot of emissions. Some companies hope microbes can help. A growing body of research shows that seeding the soil around a crop’s roots with beneficial microbes can help feed the plant, providing crucial nitrogen to help…
This is today’s edition of The Download, our weekday newsletter that provides a daily dose of what’s going on in the world of technology. How engineered microbes could help feed the world’s crops Fertilizer is crucial for the global food supply, but making it uses a lot of energy and produces a lot of emissions.…