KAUST Darwin21 group takes innovation to biostimulant market

Summary

KAUST's Darwin21 research group, led by Maged Saad and Heribert Hirt, has developed biostimulant products using plant endophyte microbes to enhance crop resilience in arid conditions. Estidamah, the National Research and Development Center for Sustainable Agriculture, validated Darwin21's products, demonstrating increased vegetable yield and quality with reduced water consumption. A cucumber harvest required only two-thirds of the water when the microbes were applied. Why it matters: This validation paves the way for commercial application, contributing to Saudi Vision 2030's goals of water conservation and food security through innovative agri-technologies.