Microbes boost hydroponic crop-growing

How could these 'probiotics for plants' boost food security?

Spotted: An ever-growing population demands more food. But, given that agriculture already uses half of the world’s habitable land and 70 per cent of its freshwater, conventional farming techniques could soon struggle to feed everyone. That’s why Ceragen, a Canadian startup from the University of Waterloo, is optimising greenhouse-grown fruit and vegetable production. 

Most greenhouse growing relies on hydroponics, a water-based method for cultivating crops. However, this technique often lacks the beneficial bacteria and fungi present in healthy soils outside, which help plants absorb nutrients, cope with environmental stresses, and fight disease.

To address this, Ceragen has developed “probiotics for plants” by identifying which soil microbes thrive in water-based environments and benefit specific plant types. As a result, Ceragen can help growers boost their yield by approximately 10 per cent without increasing resource use.

Compared with outdoor farming, greenhouses are much more efficient, producing more food per acre with a fraction of the water use. Plus, greenhouses aren’t vulnerable to unfavourable weather conditions, which are becoming much more frequent because of climate change. With Ceragen’s inoculant products, growers can make even better use of their greenhouses.

The company now offers products for lettuce and tomato plants and is testing its inoculants commercially in Canada and the US. With $2 million in seed funding co-led by Divergent Capital and 1517 Fund, Ceragen plans to expand into Mexico and the Netherlands and create new microbe products for cucumbers and strawberries.

Written By: Georgia King