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Though we cannot see them with the naked eye, bacteria are virtually everywhere. A single teaspoon of soil contains about one billion bacterial cells. From the barren valleys of Antarctica to the gassy corners of the human gut, bacteria are thriving and multiplying. But contrary to popular association, not all bacteria are harmful.

In fact, some bacteria can even help us meet global food demand while handing adverse effects of climate change.

In a recent study, NAU researchers investigated the microscopic world buried in earth’s soil. Led by doctoral student Rachel Rubin at the Center for Ecosystem Science and Society, they published findings that show how certain bacteria, called rhizobacteria, could help mitigate crop losses due to drought.

Rubin explained that the bacteria can be collected from arid regions where they grow naturally, and introduced to areas suffering from drought. This practice can have a positive impact on food security, water conservation, and sustainability.

The team found 20-40 percent increase in growth when a plant was introduced to rhizobacteria, and the effect was consistently stronger under drought.

“This is encouraging because it means that the places most vulnerable to climate change will benefit the most” Rubin shared.