Precision biologics for sustainable agriculture

QUORUM BioPhase I USDA-NIFA-SBIR-009301Topic 8.4PROJECT SUMMARYDR. SUDHARSAN DWARAKNATH (Principal Investigator)Chief Executive OfficerQuorum Bio335 Madison Ave New York NY 10017E-mail: sudharsan.dwaraknath@gmail.comEngineering Precision Biologics for Sustainable AgriculturePhosphorus fertilizer is an essential nutrient to meet global agricultural demand but itsexcessive domestic production and use endangers two key natural resources: freshwater bodies androck phosphate reserves. Deterioration of these natural resources poses downstream risks to ournational and economic security and access to food and water that could materialize as soon as 2060.To mitigate these threats U.S. farmers need technologies that allow them to reduce their applicationof phosphorus fertilizer without compromising crop yield. However there are currently noalternatives to traditional phosphorus fertilizers available on the market.We are developing plant microbiome solutions that will enable as much as a 50% reductionin phosphorus fertilizer use curb phosphorus runoff promote soil fertility and enhance crop yields.Our research entails the discovery and engineering of plant-colonizing microbial strains to facilitateplant phosphorus uptake and measurement of their plant-growth-promoting performance via thelaboratory greenhouse and field studies. We hope the results of our work will lead to thecommercialization of seed inoculants that farmers will use in place of phosphorus fertilizer.Using our solutions will translate into reduced input costs and higher yields for farmers. Ourtechnology will mitigate hundreds of millions of dollars in annual damages for the nation due to theeutrophication of freshwater bodies and the high hidden costs associated with declining soil fertility.And for the field of sustainable agriculture our work will reveal the strengths and weaknesses ofthe microbial engineering approach.