Bayer and Ginkgo team up to boost sustainable agriculture

Bayer has teamed up with biotech business Ginkgo Bioworks to focus on developing biotech for sustainable agriculture.

In a press release, published on Thursday, September 14, Bayer explained that it has teamed up with Ginkgo to form a company that will focus on the plant microbiome, improving the microbe’s ability to make nitrogen fertilizer for plants and for the plants to sustain themselves.

The new biotech company will focus on developing technology to improve plant-associated microbes.

Peas, peanuts and other legumes can pair with microbes that dwell within the plant to create nitrogen, but most crops don’t have this ability.

This means that nitrogen fertilizer holds a pivotal role in modern agriculture.

However, nitrogen fertilizer does pose environmental consequences and if used inefficiently can cost growers.

Kemal Malik, member of Bayer’s board of management, said: “Accessing the microbiome is part of Bayer’s innovation strategy. We are launching this enterprise to develop transformative agricultural products based on the latest synthetic biology technology.”

Ginkgo will provide access to its technology, laboratory and office spaces. It will also build a new facility for the company.

Bayer will provide access to microbial strains and knowledge.

The new company will be the fifth investment made by the Bayer Life Science Center (BLSC), a unit focused on the development of breakthroughs.

Axel Bouchon, head of BLSC, said: “The plant microbiome is one of the next frontiers in sustainable agriculture. And it may enable us to take a major leap in plant physiology: producing nitrogen fertilizer directly in the plant.”

In December 2016, Bayer announced a $66 billion merger with seeds group Monsanto.

The European Commission is currently scrutinising the deal.

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