The international, inter-governmental, and non-profit organization CABI will be leading agricultural researcher institutes to create the UK Crop Microbiome Cryobank (UK-CMCB). The project is to secure the future of scientific research and the sustainability of the nation's major food crops.

The United Kingdom has six major food crops: barley, potato, wheat, sugar beet, oats, and oilseed rape. For the project, CABI will be working with Scotland Rural College and the John Innes Center to create the crop system microbe version of Noah's Ark.

Dr. Matthew Ryan from CABI said that by preserving major crop microbes "from a 'unique snapshot in time.'" The research will include "valuable and unique resources from key UK crop systems that will become a vital resource for scientific researchers for generations to come."


The Noah's Ark of Microbes & Crops

Cryotechnology will allow the researchers to secure the soil samples using liquid nitrogen, similar to preserving human stem cells and extinct and endangered species' DNA. Dr. Ryan describes it as the Noah's Ark of U.K. microbes from crop systems.

Genetically sequencing crops will also help researchers discover the microbes of fungi, bacteria, viruses, and archaea involved in enhancing crop growth. The project will also include a database where end-users can find information on crops, soil types, and necessary microbiological data.

For the project, researchers will preserve crop microbiomes from various soils all over the U.K.; preserving microbiomes, which contain the DNA sequences of crops, will result in better crop yield and food quality.

New Crop Microbiome Cryobank To Open in the U.K. To Tackle Food Crop Security
(Photo: The culture collection at CABI, where the UK’s major crops' microbiomes will be held and curated as part of the UK Crop Microbiome Cryobank (Credit: Tom Swindley/CABI).)

Dr. Tim Mauchline from Rothamsted Research noted the importance of soil health. Understanding microbes in U.K. soil, he said, can "help farmers produce sustainable crops.

Dr. Mauchline also emphasized the need for increased food production, and at the same time, the reduction of pesticides and chemical fertilizers. "It is imperative that biological solutions are found to help ensure the UK's food security."

Dr. Nicola Holden from the James Hutton Institue said that the available technology for DNA sequencing would tell researchers the composition of microbiomes and their functions. The database will provide crop types, soils, and the impact of microbiomes.

"Our ambition is to provide a comprehensive resource that will be used to optimizes crop production systems." Dr. Jacob Malone from the John Innes Center said that the cryobank would also have a platform where researchers can find data for "optimizing plant yield and providing sustainable alternatives to environmentally damaging agrochemicals."

Read Also: Saving Biodiversity, Scientists Call for Change in Farming Practices: Study

Tackling Food Security and Sustainable Agriculture

Since the early 1900s, CABI has been inspired by the United Nation's Sustainable Development Goals (SDG). The Crop Microbiome Cryobank will be focusing on SDG 2 of zero hunger by working on food and nutrition security by promoting sustainable agriculture.

With the current population, over 800 million people lack food security and proper nutrition. By 2050 when the world will have two billion more people, we need to increase sustainable food systems.

Currently, 80% of food in developing countries is grown by small-scale farmers. Continuing today's business-as-usual scenarios will leave hundreds of millions, and possibly reach over one billion people, going hungry 30 years from now.

Read Also: Plant Power May Tackle Several Sustainable Development Goals


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