A novel gene-editing partnership between Bayer and UC Davis aims to enable major cereal crops to naturally capture atmospheric nitrogen. By shifting crop nutrition from chemical inputs to biological mechanisms, the initiative could dramatically alter global feed grain economics and reduce supply chain vulnerabilities.

German agricultural company Bayer has secured a commercial license for a gene-editing technology developed by a research team led by Prof. Eduardo Blumwald at the University of California, Davis (UC Davis). The CRISPR-based method, a precise gene-editing technology modifying native DNA without foreign genes, increases apigenin production in cereal roots to attract nitrogen-fixing soil bacteria. In trials, modified wheat yielded higher results under extremely low fertilizer conditions. According to BigGo Finance, this targets reducing synthetic fertilizer reliance in feed crops, unlocking the $85 billion urea market. Matthias Berninger, Bayer’s Head of Public Affairs and Sustainability, noted this creates new revenue as fertilizer costs shift to seeds. 

Prof. Eduardo Blumwald

IMPACT ON FEED ECONOMICS AND CARBON EMISSIONS

While legumes fix nitrogen naturally, staple grains rely heavily on synthetic fertilizers. Middle East tensions have driven up prices, exposing supply risks. Lowering urea use reduces feed grain costs and cuts scope 3 emissions. With EU NGT regulations cleared, Bayer also partners with Switch Bioworks. Commercialization is expected in the 2030s.