Agricultural giants like BASF SE, DuPont Co., Bayer AG, and Monsanto Co. are increasingly focusing on microorganisms to enhance crop protection. These companies are exploring soil-dwelling bacteria and fungi that could assist plants in resisting pests and accelerating growth. Brian Vande Berg of Bayer’s CropScience division represents this shift towards natural solutions as opposed to traditional synthetic chemical pesticides. As Robert Fraley, Monsanto’s chief technology officer, explains, “The DNA diagnostics today give you a level of understanding you didn’t have five to 10 years ago,” indicating the potential of these microbe-based products in modern agriculture.

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