Harnessing the microbiome of soil
SUSTAINABLE AGRICULTURE USING BACTERIA AND FUNGI The soil in which we grow our crops contains billions of bacteria, fungi and other microorganisms that are more powerful than you might think. These can devastate our plants – think back to the potato blight that led to the Great Famine – but they also possess the power to strengthen crops, making them more resistant and faster growing. Enter VIB. Even back in the 80s, researchers worldwide were already gaining insights into growth-stimulating microorganisms. But this field of research has truly flourished only in the past few years, right here in Belgium. Recent technological breakthroughs and tech transfer efforts have led to the foundation of Aphea.Bio and Protealis, two VIB spin-offs that are exploring and developing a new generation of agricultural solutions.
On the origin of impact
