We should know it by now—bacteria are good for us. In fact, research increasingly shows that we need them to improve digestion and prevent degenerative diseases like Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s. But just as humans can benefit from the good bacteria of probiotics, plants can benefit from certain microbes. And that benefit is also good for the environment. In plants, beneficial bacteria and fungi are endophytes. Scientists have known for decades that plants like peas, beans, and lentils have beneficial bacteria in nodules attached to their roots. New research shows that when additional endophytes—probiotics—are transferred to rice plants, the result is larger and taller plants. In other words: Giving probiotics to plants leads to more food without the need for additional fertilizer.
Plants need probiotics too—and the world becomes a better place
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