A startup called Switch Bioworks is hoping to use genetically engineered microbes to reduce the need for chemical fertilizers, which are crucial for global food production but are also energy-intensive and emit greenhouse gases.

Fertilizers are needed to provide crops with the nitrogen they need to grow, but the production of these fertilizers accounts for around 2% of global greenhouse-gas emissions. Switch Bioworks aims to develop microbes that can efficiently fix nitrogen from the air, providing a natural alternative to synthetic fertilizers.

The company is working on a genetic switch that would allow the microbes to establish themselves in the soil and grow into healthy colonies before shifting into nitrogen-producing mode. This method could be more cost-effective and environmentally friendly than current methods, especially as energy and fertilizer prices continue to rise.

However, there are still challenges to overcome, such as the energy required for the microbes to fix nitrogen and the need for them to thrive in different soil conditions. Switch Bioworks is currently trialling its product in six US states, with initial results showing some promise.

Other companies, such as Pivot Bio, are also working on similar technologies, with products currently being used on millions of acres of crops. While the science is promising, field trials are crucial in proving the effectiveness of these products.