Modulation of root growth using engineered root-colonizing Bacillus thuringiensis

Indoor agriculture offers significant potential for sustainable resource management, particularly in water and nutrient conservation. However, inefficiencies in crop production timelines and carbon allocation present opportunities for innovation. In indoor systems, extensive root development diverts photosynthetically fixed carbon away from harvestable above-ground biomass – a disadvantage that contrasts with outdoor agriculture, where deep root systems are beneficial. This project addresses this inefficiency by testing engineered strains of Bacillus thuringiensis (Bt), a widely deployed agricultural biocontrol agent. Engineered Bt inoculants are designed to suppress excessive root proliferation while enhancing nutrient uptake efficiency. We will evaluate these microbial strains across multiple crop species commonly cultivated in controlled indoor environments, measuring improvements in yield and nutrient use efficiency. By redirecting plant carbon allocation from root to shoot biomass, this approach offers farmers a practical means to reduce production costs, energy consumption, and the overall carbon footprint of indoor agricultural systems, thus advancing this emerging technology toward greater economic and environmental sustainability.