Field trials at The University of Queensland reveal game-changing potential for soil health, yield and carbon capture.
Groundbreaking research at The University of Queensland (UQ) demonstrates how microbial biotechnology could transform Australian agriculture, with simultaneous benefits for soil regeneration, crop productivity, and long-term carbon sequestration.
Researchers have been trialling fungal endophyte inoculants in soybean crops in collaboration with UQ’s Queensland Alliance for Agriculture and Food Innovation (QAAFI), the School of Agriculture and Food Sustainability, and agri-biotech company Loam Bio.
QAAFI Research Fellow Dr Vijaya Singh explained that fungal endophyte inoculants are beneficial microbes applied to seeds to support plant growth and soil health.
“It’s a symbiotic relationship,” said Dr Singh. “The fungi supply nutrients and water to the plant and, in return, receive carbon. That carbon is then transported into the soil through root fluids, enhancing soil carbon levels rather than removing them.”
The flow-on effects are significant: improved soil structure, better water retention, and increased nutrient availability—all contributing to greater crop yields.
Loam Bio has been developing these inoculants for more than four years. Early results from the first year of field trials in Gatton, Queensland, are promising.
“We’re seeing encouraging outcomes,” said Loam Bio researcher Dr Neeraj Purushotham. “Our focus with UQ is to better understand how our inoculant builds stable carbon, which is the kind that stays in the soil. This is not just good for yield—it reduces the reliance on fertilisers and supports long-term soil health.”
Dr Singh agrees the findings are cause for further research.
“The potential of these endophytes to improve yield and enhance soil organic matter is exciting. It’s a win-win for productivity and sustainability in Australian farming,” he said.
Image: Researcher in soybean field at Gatton – The University of Queensland
