Microbiomes have profound impacts on agricultural production systems as well as human, animal, plant, and environmental health. Microbiome research is critical for improving agricultural productivity, sustainability of agricultural ecosystems, safety of the food supply, climate change adaptation, greenhouse gas mitigation, carbon sequestration, and meeting the challenge of feeding a rapidly growing world population. Better understanding of microbiomes will help reduce use of chemicals (pesticides, antibiotics, and biocides) in food production, lead to the development of safer alternatives for the management of agriculturally important pests and diseases, optimize nutrient utilization efficiency, and reduce environmental footprints and greenhouse gas emissions of agriculture and food systems.
Research is supported by the Agricultural Microbiomes in Plant Systems and Natural Resources program area priority within the Agriculture and Food Research Initiative
List of Awardees:
- Auburn University
- California Institute of Technology
- Colorado State University
- Cornell University
- Iowa State University of Science and Technology
- North Dakota State University
- Oregon State University
- Pennsylvania State University - University Park (3 awards)
- Texas Tech University
- University of Kansas Center for Research, Inc.
- University of Texas -El Paso