Salk Institute researchers are field-testing genetically modified soybeans with deeper root systems, hoping the crops can better withstand drought while pulling more carbon dioxide into the soil. Early lab estimates suggest an extra metric ton of CO2 stored per hectare per year, but real-world validation is still pending. The project is backed by an $18 million Bezos Earth Fund grant and includes trial sites in Illinois, Missouri, Kansas, and Iowa. If the deeper roots hold up outside the lab, the technology could be adopted using existing farmland and infrastructure, potentially removing up to a gigaton of CO2 annually by 2040 if extended to corn, cotton, and canola. But researchers acknowledge unknowns about yield trade-offs and long-term carbon retention. Field results are expected this fall, and the path to widespread adoption will depend on farmer and seed company interest.
