Salk Institute researchers develop deep-rooted soybeans for carbon storage

Researchers at the Salk Institute for Biological Studies are developing genetically engineered soybeans with deeper root systems to combat climate change. These specialized roots are designed to grow straight down rather than outward, potentially allowing crops to better withstand drought and other climate stressors while simultaneously increasing the amount of carbon stored underground.

Supported by an $18 million grant from the Bezos Earth Fund, the Harnessing Plants Initiative is conducting field tests to determine how much additional carbon these plants can sequester, how long it remains in the soil, and whether the crops can maintain standard yields under real farming conditions. Scientists have spent several years mapping plant genomes to identify the specific genes responsible for these root structures.