Millions of microbes live on crops and in the soil in which crops grow, and the right combination of microbes can significantly boost yields. The startup BioConsortia which originated in New Zealand but is now based in Davis, California, is introducing a tool that identifies the right combination of microbes to be applied as a seed treatment or soil additive. BioConsortia is using the latest genetic technologies such as DNA sequencing and Automated Ribosomal Intergenic Spacer Analysis to identify, isolate, and manage plant microbes that could produce a gain in yields of 20% over the next 20 years. The company has raised $15 million from Khosla Ventures and Otter Capital with Khosla Venture’s Andrew Chung stating that this technology is an “explosive opportunity in agriculture.”
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