May 2023 issue

Volume 68, Issue 5

Farmers, scientists, and policymakers are becoming increasingly aware of how critical soils will be in our struggle to cope with climate change. With more powerful tools like artificial intelligence at their disposal, scientists are paying more attention to breeding crops to sequester more carbon, especially via the roots. See story on page 4. The top panel of the cover photo shows Wolfgang Busch, executive director of the Harnessing Plants Initiative at the Salk Institute for Biological Studies, examining legumes that are distantly related to soybean. The plants could provide insights into different root morphologies and specialized root growth strategies to increase the carbon sequestration capacity of soybean.

Cover photo: Courtesy of the Salk Institute. The bottom panels show University of Kentucky soil scientist Hanna Poffenbarger and students Gabriela Frigo Fernandes, Mariana Ayres Rodrigues, and Shelby Stanley working in the field on research related to the impact of crops on soil organic carbon concentration. Photos by Matt Barton.