logo
episode-header-image
Feb 2025
11m 38s

The food that fertilizes itself | Giles ...

TED
About this episode

Could the key to a sustainable food system already be growing in the world’s farms? Plant scientist Giles E.D. Oldroyd explores how a special quirk of soybean plants allows them to naturally partner with networks of fungi and bacteria to access essential nutrients in the air and soil — eliminating the need for synthetic fertilizers. He shows how harnessing these microscopic powerhouses could help scientists rewire crops to make their own fertilizer, reducing pollution, increasing yields and improving livelihoods for smallholder farmers.

Learn more about our flagship conference happening this April at attend.ted.com/podcast


Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Up next
Today
How to make transportation quieter, cleaner and cheaper | Doreen Orishaba
When Doreen Orishaba helped build Africa’s first electric car in 2011, skeptics dismissed it as a “toy for the Western world.” Now she’s running dozens of electric buses across Kenya and Rwanda, moving thousands of passengers to work every day on zero-exhaust vehicles powered by ... Show More
12m 40s
Yesterday
Sunday Pick: Margaret Atwood on what AI can’t replace | from ReThinking with Adam Grant
Margaret Atwood is best known as the author of The Handmaid’s Tale, and she’s won a slew of awards for her novels, poetry collections, and children’s books. Now, at the age of 86, she’s written her first memoir, The Book of Lives. In this episode, Adam and Margaret break down her ... Show More
43m 51s
Mar 14
Why you should keep a list of what makes you laugh | Chris Duffy
The world is weird and hilarious — if you know where to look, says comedian Chris Duffy. In conversation with "TED Talks Daily" host Elise Hu, Duffy breaks down three practical pillars of humor, showing how laughter can help you feel present, creative and connected, even when the ... Show More
54m 36s
Recommended Episodes
May 2025
The food that fertilizes itself | Giles E.D. Oldroyd
Could the key to a sustainable food system already be growing in the world’s farms? Plant scientist Giles E.D. Oldroyd explores how a special quirk of soybean plants allows them to naturally partner with networks of fungi and bacteria to access essential nutrients in the air and ... Show More
13m 32s
Oct 2025
The Future of Food
Food is also what connects farming to human health and our natural environment. In this episode of The Science Behind Your Salad, we ask you to close your eyes and listen: the steady hum of bees, the deep boom of a rare bittern, and the people creating the future of the food on y ... Show More
27m 16s
Aug 2013
Michael Pollan - On How To Eat
For over two decades, Michael Pollan has been opening our eyes to what we put in our body through books like 'Food Rules,' 'In Defense of Food,' and 'The Omnivore's Dilemma.' In this conversation with Rebecca Huntley, Pollan explores the ethical bonds that connect our bodies, far ... Show More
1h 16m
Aug 2024
Seeding Sustainability: Agriculture Innovations to Feed Future Generations
<p>The agriculture industry will need to feed a projected 10 billion people by 2050. To meet this demand, project teams are transforming production—finding climate-friendly ways to maximize yields. Guests share how they’re helping agriculture giants like Cargill reduce carbon emi ... Show More
25m 19s
Nov 2024
How to empower farmers — and nourish the planet | Agnes Kalibata
Africa's smallholder farmers feed millions of people and uplift economies, yet they often lack the basic resources needed to thrive, says agricultural scientist and policymaker Agnes Kalibata. She outlines how to empower these farmers with better tools, climate resilience strateg ... Show More
14m 26s
Jun 2025
Food Production: Biotechnology 🍄 GCSE Biology Learning & Revision
In this episode, we explore Biotechnology's role in food production through two key examples. Mycoprotein production, utilising fungal fermentation in vats, creates a high-protein, low-fat meat substitute. Genetic modification is also presented as a means to enhance nutritional v ... Show More
4m 23s
Nov 2024
Carbon conscious cooking for the future
Our volatile climate will impact the way we cook and the way we eat. And so, farming needs to adapt, eating needs to adapt, and how we cook, will also need to adapt.   In this episode of the Science Behind Your Salad, Jane Craigie explores the world of carbon farming: how can we ... Show More
31m 48s
Aug 2025
The science of making fruits and veggies last longer | Jenny Du
It's a hard nut to crack: in order to prevent food waste, we rely on plastic packaging and refrigeration, which harm the environment. What if we could turn to nature to address these challenges? Engineer and chemist Jenny Du shares how a simple plant-based innovation — using the ... Show More
13m 32s
Aug 2025
Carbon Robotics on a New Era of Farming with Robots and Sustainable Innovation - Ep. 270
Paul Mikesell, Founder and CEO of Carbon Robotics, shares how combining artificial intelligence and lasers is transforming modern agriculture. From identifying and eliminating billions of weeds without chemicals to boosting crop yields and reducing operational costs, AI-driven ro ... Show More
34m 57s