Metagenomics Data Scientist Bayer Crop Sciences Boulder, Colorado, United States
The ecological implications of a human population of eight billion are multifaceted, but one concern is producing enough food. Crop losses to insects can be substantial, reducing crop yields and agricultural efficiency, particularly in more intensive agriculture. Insect-killing microbes and their genes have been enlisted in the effort to protect crops from insect damage, and to target specific taxa to limit the ecological impacts of applying broad-spectrum insecticides. Ecological insights and principles can continue to improve the search for microbially sourced solutions for crop protection and reduce agricultural impacts on ecosystems.
