"Revolutionizing Crop Protection: The Power of Engineered Plant Microbiomes"
Scientists at the University of Southampton have successfully engineered the microbiome of plants for the first time, potentially revolutionizing crop protection and reducing reliance on harmful pesticides. By manipulating a specific gene in rice plants, they boosted the numbers of beneficial bacteria, leading to substantial resistance to bacterial blight. This breakthrough could have far-reaching implications for sustainable agriculture, including reducing the need for synthetic fertilizers and benefiting the environment.