Deeper-Rooted Soybeans Could Help Climate Resilience, Researchers Say

Scientists are developing soybeans with deeper and larger root systems in an effort to help crops withstand the effects of climate change and store more carbon in the soil. The research, supported by an $18 million grant from the Bezos Earth Fund, aims to explore how these modified plants can access deeper water sources during droughts, draw more carbon dioxide from the atmosphere, and sequester it underground.

Researchers at the Salk Institute for Biological Studies have identified hundreds of genes related to carbon storage and root growth. By editing the DNA of soybean plants, they have created varieties with roots that penetrate the soil more deeply than typical soybean plants. This deeper root structure is hypothesized to allow plants to access water reserves further below the surface during dry periods.

Beyond drought resilience, the initiative, known as the Harnessing Plants Initiative, focuses on increasing carbon storage. The theory is that larger root systems will leave more carbon-rich plant material in the soil. Additionally, efforts are underway to increase the production of suberin, a cork-like substance in roots that contains carbon and decomposes at a slower rate, potentially leading to longer-term carbon sequestration.

Early estimates suggest that one hectare of these modified soybeans could store an additional metric ton of carbon dioxide annually. However, researchers emphasize that extensive field testing is necessary to confirm these figures and to understand how long the stored carbon will remain underground. Initial results from field trials are anticipated this fall.

Experimental sites in Illinois, Missouri, Kansas, and Iowa are being used to test the plants' performance under various conditions, including controlled drought simulations. Advanced sensing equipment and underground cameras are employed to monitor carbon levels in the soil and observe root growth in real-time.

Scientists also hope that the more extensive root systems could absorb more nitrogen and other fertilizer runoff, potentially mitigating issues like algae blooms in waterways that create low-oxygen environments harmful to marine life. There is also a hypothesis that steeper root systems could allow for denser planting, potentially increasing crop yields.

While lab results are promising, the transition to real-world farming presents challenges. Researchers acknowledge that widespread adoption will depend on demonstrating clear benefits to farmers and large seed companies. Historically, new agricultural technologies have been adopted rapidly when they offer significant advantages. A 2025 study co-authored by Wolfgang Busch, director of the Salk Institute's Harnessing Plants Initiative, modeled that widespread adoption of deeper-rooted soybean, corn, cotton, and canola crops could remove approximately one gigaton of carbon dioxide from the atmosphere annually by 2040, provided they are adopted in regions where genetically modified crops are already prevalent. The study also indicated that such crops could be integrated into existing agricultural infrastructure without requiring new land.

Busch highlighted the urgency of developing such solutions, stating, "It's a race against time." He noted that crop development can be a lengthy process, underscoring the importance of sustained funding for ambitious climate-related agricultural research.