--- title: "Soybean roots engineered to boost carbon storage" publication: "MediaBias News" url: "https://mediabias.news/climate/soybean-roots-engineered-to-boost-carbon-storage" api: "https://mediabias.news/api/v1/stories/soybean-roots-engineered-to-boost-carbon-storage" markdown: "https://mediabias.news/climate/soybean-roots-engineered-to-boost-carbon-storage.md" audio: "https://mediabias.news/api/audio/soybean-roots-engineered-to-boost-carbon-storage" category: "Climate" published: "2026-09-18T14:45:53.498Z" source_reported: "2026-09-18T13:56:36.000Z" updated: "2026-09-18T14:45:53.498Z" trust_score: 50 critic_score: 45 hype_score: 20 assessment_type: "coverage-and-source-reporting-analysis" fact_check_status: "not-performed" coverage_measured: "2026-09-18T16:18:54.518Z" --- # Soybean roots engineered to boost carbon storage *Researchers are developing plants with deeper root systems to help crops withstand climate change and sequester more carbon.* **Scores for the source reporting** (0-100, assessing the original journalism this article was written from, not this write-up): - Trust 50 of 100, higher is better. The central claim is attributed to named researchers and the Salk Institute, with a specific grant amount mentioned. - Craft 45 of 100, higher is better. The reporting clearly separates facts from speculation and provides specific details about the research. - Hype 20 of 100, lower is better. The language used is measured and proportionate, with no sensationalism or manufactured urgency. Scored by MediaBias News; method at https://mediabias.news/methodology. **The short version** - Researchers are developing soybeans with deeper root systems to help crops withstand climate change effects. - The Salk Institute is investigating whether these deeper roots can be a tool for carbon removal from the atmosphere. - The Bezos Earth Fund has provided $18 million to the Salk Institute for field testing of these plants. - Scientists have identified 347 genes related to carbon storage and root growth, and have edited plant DNA to create deeper-rooted varieties. Scientists are developing soybeans with enhanced root systems to improve their resilience to climate change and increase their capacity to store carbon in the soil. The Salk Institute for Biological Studies is conducting research to determine if these deeper roots can serve as a method for carbon removal. This work is supported by an $18 million grant from the Bezos Earth Fund, which will facilitate field testing of the plants' resistance to drought and other climate stressors, their carbon storage potential, and methods for large-scale adoption by farmers. The research involves identifying and editing plant genes to promote root growth. Scientists have identified 347 genes associated with carbon storage and root development. By editing the DNA of soybean plants, they have created varieties with roots that penetrate deeper into the soil. Researchers hypothesize that these longer and larger root systems could access water in drier conditions, store carbon further underground where it is less likely to be released, and potentially absorb more nitrogen and fertilizer runoff. Based on earlier laboratory findings, researchers estimate that one hectare of soybeans with deeper and larger roots could store an additional metric ton of carbon dioxide annually. The duration for which this carbon remains stored depends on root depth and soil conditions. Field trials are underway at multiple sites, including the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign, to gather data on carbon storage, crop yield, and plant performance under various conditions, such as controlled drought scenarios. ## Disagreement on initial findings Initial results from field tests are expected this autumn, according to Wolfgang Busch, director of the Salk Institute’s Harnessing Plants Initiative. However, the Washington Top News report notes that scientists still need to demonstrate how much additional carbon these roots can store under actual farming conditions, the longevity of underground carbon storage, and whether crop yields can be maintained. ## Omissions None of the left- or centre-rated reports mention the potential for deeper-rooted crops to absorb more nitrogen and fertilizer runoff, a detail present in the full report from Washington Top News. ## Who covered it Shares of the 20 covering outlets with a published leaning rating: - Left: 40% (8) - Centre: 60% (12) - Right: 0% (0) 1 of 21 covering outlets carried no usable leaning rating and were excluded from those percentages. Coverage measured 2026-09-18T16:18:54.518Z. **Coverage watch:** developing. Checked 8 times; 0 checks found a material change. Most recently checked 2026-09-18T16:45:39.277Z. ## How the sides framed it ### Left - Left-rated reports led on the potential for deeper-rooted soybeans to withstand climate extremes and store more carbon. These reports highlighted the broader context of carbon removal efforts, mentioning direct air capture, changes to ocean chemistry, and reforestation as other methods scientists are exploring. The digests in this section carried details about the Salk Institute's research and the $18 million grant from the Bezos Earth Fund. ### Centre - Centre-rated reports focused on the development of soybeans with deeper root systems as a means to withstand climate change effects and store more carbon. These reports included details about the Salk Institute's research process, such as identifying 347 genes related to carbon storage and root growth, and editing plant DNA. The $18 million grant from the Bezos Earth Fund was also a prominent detail across these reports. ### Right No separate framing summary. **Provisional coverage gap:** right. The watch is not closed, so this is not yet a settled blindspot finding. ## Factuality profile of the covering outlets These are published factuality ratings of the outlets, not a verdict on whether this story or its claims are true. - mixed: 1 - high: 8 - unknown: 1 - veryHigh: 11 ## Verification scope This page compares coverage and scores the source reporting. It is not a ClaimReview verdict on whether the underlying event or claim is true. ## Original reporting this was written from - [BizToc](https://biztoc.com/x/5c63f72e6f8d7cca) — Scientists hope deeper-rooted soybeans can withstand climate extremes and store more carbon - [My Mother Lode](https://mymotherlode.com/sports/top-sports-general-news/11149746/scientists-hope-deeper-rooted-soybeans-can-withstand-climate-extremes-and-store-more-carbon.html) — Scientists hope deeper-rooted soybeans can withstand climate extremes and store more carbon - [Washington Top News](https://wtop.com/national/2026/09/scientists-hope-deeper-rooted-soybeans-can-withstand-climate-extremes-and-store-more-carbon) — Scientists hope deeper-rooted soybeans can withstand climate extremes and store more carbon – WTOP News - [WBAL](https://wbal.com/scientists-hope-deeper-rooted-soybeans-can-withstand-climate-extremes-and-store-more-carbon) — Scientists hope deeper-rooted soybeans can withstand climate extremes - [The Seattle Times](https://seattletimes.com/business/scientists-hope-deeper-rooted-soybeans-can-withstand-climate-extremes-and-store-more-carbon) — Scientists hope deeper-rooted soybeans can withstand climate extremes and store more carbon - [The Independent](https://independent.co.uk/news/scientists-carbon-dioxide-adoption-bezos-earth-fund-dna-b3052527.html) — Scientists hope deeper-rooted soybeans can withstand climate extremes and store more carbon - [Associated Press News](https://apnews.com/article/climate-carbon-roots-agriculture-research-weather-96cceef4cae98b4cd6f516ef71315949) — Scientists hope deeper-rooted soybeans can withstand climate extremes and store more carbon - [The Independent (US)](https://the-independent.com/news/scientists-carbon-dioxide-adoption-bezos-earth-fund-dna-b3052527.html) — Scientists hope deeper-rooted soybeans can withstand climate extremes and store more carbon - [Ottumwa Courier](https://ottumwacourier.com/news/illinois_news/scientists-hope-deeper-rooted-soybeans-can-withstand-climate-extremes-and-store-more-carbon/article_202d4718-efe7-5ea3-9159-39f0fc7e9e1d.html) — Scientists hope deeper-rooted soybeans can withstand climate extremes and store more carbon - [Chronicle Online](https://chronicleonline.com/news/national/scientists-hope-deeper-rooted-soybeans-can-withstand-climate-extremes-and-store-more-carbon/article_88995d31-b2c2-5ad4-8b3e-33d782164346.html) — Scientists hope deeper-rooted soybeans can withstand climate extremes and store more carbon - [GazetteXtra](https://gazettextra.com/news/nation_world/scientists-hope-deeper-rooted-soybeans-can-withstand-climate-extremes-and-store-more-carbon/article_54bebecf-29f0-55c7-9f2f-116df7f89683.html) — Scientists hope deeper-rooted soybeans can withstand climate extremes and store more carbon - [Bozeman Daily Chronicle](https://bozemandailychronicle.com/wire/business/scientists-hope-deeper-rooted-soybeans-can-withstand-climate-extremes-and-store-more-carbon/article_2cdd8902-1908-56db-9fb6-de43b54b0fda.html) — Scientists hope deeper-rooted soybeans can withstand climate extremes and store more carbon - [Lancaster Farming](https://lancasterfarming.com/news/associated_press/scientists-hope-deeper-rooted-soybeans-can-withstand-climate-extremes-and-store-more-carbon/article_116e3617-8e19-5f98-b708-975f9064f8d6.html) — Scientists hope deeper-rooted soybeans can withstand climate extremes and store more carbon - [KTBS](https://ktbs.com/news/business/scientists-hope-deeper-rooted-soybeans-can-withstand-climate-extremes-and-store-more-carbon/article_e58ed083-ad55-5bc0-88de-b11d8b0ebd1a.html) — Scientists hope deeper-rooted soybeans can withstand climate extremes and store more carbon - [The Lawton Constitution](https://swoknews.com/ap/business/scientists-hope-deeper-rooted-soybeans-can-withstand-climate-extremes-and-store-more-carbon/article_b26dfa83-f735-58ce-9b79-35c9a70ecd9d.html) — Scientists hope deeper-rooted soybeans can withstand climate extremes and store more carbon - [WKMG](https://clickorlando.com/tech/2026/09/18/scientists-hope-deeper-rooted-soybeans-can-withstand-climate-extremes-and-store-more-carbon) — Scientists hope deeper-rooted soybeans can withstand climate extremes and store more carbon - [Bangor Daily News](https://bangordailynews.com/2026/09/18/nation/scientists-hope-deeper-rooted-soybeans-can-withstand-climate-extremes-and-store-more-carbon) — Scientists hope deeper-rooted soybeans can withstand climate extremes and store more carbon - [abc News](https://abcnews.com/Business/wireStory/scientists-hope-deeper-rooted-soybeans-withstand-climate-extremes-136557359) — Scientists hope deeper-rooted soybeans can withstand climate extremes and store more carbon - [The Hamilton Spectator](https://thespec.com/business/scientists-hope-deeper-rooted-soybeans-can-withstand-climate-extremes-and-store-more-carbon/article_b08fb2f8-cbc1-52a3-9da2-5cb1bddd100f.html) — Scientists hope deeper-rooted soybeans can withstand climate extremes and store more carbon - [The Record](https://therecord.com/business/scientists-hope-deeper-rooted-soybeans-can-withstand-climate-extremes-and-store-more-carbon/article_52a8cd4e-5ba2-5aa4-b355-edef78c51639.html) — Scientists hope deeper-rooted soybeans can withstand climate extremes and store more carbon - [Winnipeg Free Press](https://winnipegfreepress.com/arts-and-life/life/sci-tech/2026/09/18/scientists-hope-deeper-rooted-soybeans-can-withstand-climate-extremes-and-store-more-carbon) — Scientists hope deeper-rooted soybeans can withstand climate extremes and store more carbon ## Questions **How are scientists developing soybeans to withstand climate change?** Scientists are engineering soybeans to grow deeper root systems. This allows the plants to access water further down in the soil during droughts and helps them store more carbon underground. They are identifying and editing specific genes related to root growth and carbon storage to achieve this. **What is the role of the Bezos Earth Fund in this research?** The Bezos Earth Fund has provided an $18 million grant to the Salk Institute researchers. This funding is crucial for conducting field testing to assess the plants' resilience to climate stressors, their carbon storage capabilities, and the feasibility of scaling up their adoption in agriculture. **How much additional carbon could these soybeans store?** Researchers estimate that one hectare of soybeans with deeper-rooted systems could store an additional metric ton of carbon dioxide per year. This potential contribution to carbon removal is a key focus of the ongoing field trials. --- MediaBias News — https://mediabias.news. Reproduced from https://mediabias.news/climate/soybean-roots-engineered-to-boost-carbon-storage. Please cite as: MediaBias News, "Soybean roots engineered to boost carbon storage", https://mediabias.news/climate/soybean-roots-engineered-to-boost-carbon-storage