The Microbe Revolution

Unless you’ve been living under a rock for the past couple of
years, you’ve probably heard about the human microbiome. Research
into the composition, function, and importance of the galaxy of
bacteria, fungi, and viruses that, when we’re healthy, live in
symbiotic balance in and on us has become one of the fastest moving
and most intriguing fields of scientific study. But it turns out
that plants have a microbiome too—and it’s just as important and
exciting as ours. In this episode of Gastropod, we look at the
brand new science that experts think will lead to a “Microbe
Revolution” in agriculture, as well as the history of both
probiotics for soils and agricultural revolutions. And we do it all
in the context of the crop that Bill Gates has called “the world’s
most interesting vegetable”: the cassava. Learn more about your ad
choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices