$6 Million NSF Grant Backs Fungi-Based Approach to Drought-Proof Rice and Wheat

A four-state US university research team has received a $6 million grant from the National Science Foundation to investigate whether a common soil fungus can be developed into a commercial seed or soil treatment to help rice and wheat crops survive drought. This project, led by Arkansas State University, aims to boost tolerance to water stress in these staple crops, offering a significant advance in agricultural resilience and food security.