Skip to main content

Role of Engineered Microbes in Sustainable Agriculture

  • Chapter
  • First Online:
Beneficial Microorganisms in Agriculture

Part of the book series: Environmental and Microbial Biotechnology ((EMB))

  • 595 Accesses

Abstract

For a long time, agricultural output had been solely dependent on available environmental resources, and increasing pressure on these natural resources to meet the needs of an increasing population continues to disrupt the natural systems of the planet which has led to various consequences. In the past, scientific advancements from the use of manure to breeding experiments by Mendel were used to develop methods for the improvement of agricultural production and thus saving people from mass starvation. Scientific “fixes” have nevertheless brought forth other unforeseen issues because of the introduction of new variables. Increasing concerns over the effects of these fixes on the environment, other creatures, and ultimately humans have led to the inclusion of safety considerations and the need to consider as much as possible minimal safety limits and tests on products impacted by scientific technology. As such, recently, holistic concepts such as the circular economy and sustainable agriculture are increasingly considered with approaches inline or promoting these agendas given more attention. Among the novel approaches that promote sustainability is metabolic engineering. As a field, it has evolved over the years leveraging technological improvements in genome sequencing, computational biology, and gene editing to help bring forth innovations that have contributed to mitigating the effects on nature of intensive agricultural practices while reducing global hunger. This chapter discusses the role of engineered microbes, technologies, advancements, and future perspectives in the improvement of agriculture.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this chapter

Chapter
USD 29.95
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Available as PDF
  • Read on any device
  • Instant download
  • Own it forever
eBook
USD 189.00
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Available as EPUB and PDF
  • Read on any device
  • Instant download
  • Own it forever
Softcover Book
USD 249.99
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Compact, lightweight edition
  • Dispatched in 3 to 5 business days
  • Free shipping worldwide - see info
Hardcover Book
USD 249.99
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Durable hardcover edition
  • Dispatched in 3 to 5 business days
  • Free shipping worldwide - see info

Tax calculation will be finalised at checkout

Purchases are for personal use only

Institutional subscriptions

References

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

Authors

Editor information

Editors and Affiliations

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

Copyright information

© 2022 The Author(s), under exclusive license to Springer Nature Singapore Pte Ltd.

About this chapter

Check for updates. Verify currency and authenticity via CrossMark

Cite this chapter

Enuh, B.M., Aytar Çelik, P. (2022). Role of Engineered Microbes in Sustainable Agriculture. In: Prasad, R., Zhang, SH. (eds) Beneficial Microorganisms in Agriculture. Environmental and Microbial Biotechnology. Springer, Singapore. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-981-19-0733-3_10

Download citation

Publish with us

Policies and ethics