Bayer and Switch Bioworks partner on nitrogen-fixing soil microbes that switch on mid-season

Bayer

Bayer Crop Science has entered a strategic collaboration with Switch Bioworks, a California startup, to develop switchable nitrogen-fixing soil microbes. The microbes first settle on plant roots, then turn on ammonia production several weeks into the growing season. Financial terms were not disclosed.

• In grow-room studies, switchable strains produced five times more nitrogen than always-on control strains.
• Switch has field-tested its microbes on corn across the US Midwest and received field-release approval in Brazil.
• Switch targets replacing 25% of nitrogen fertilizer while keeping yields, and aims to commercialize within two to three years.
• The first phase pairs Switch's best strains with Bayer hybrids; Bayer handles formulation, field testing, commercialization and crop genetics.