More Food with Less Water on Less Land: Scientists Look Below Ground for Solutions

Food production must increase 70% by 2050 with less water and on less land. Fundamental discoveries on how roots grow through deep soil to access water and nutrients, resist pathogens and toxins, and function effectively in sustainable systems are being made. This knowledge is immediately applied to plant breeding and efficient land and water management. The “pull” of a societal and environment problem is driving new basic research to “bring about both practical benefits and pure understanding”.