By Christiane Wisehart
“Imagine that we could return half of the Midwest to prairie. We could increase the planet’s ability to capture carbon, restore our insect populations and restore our ecosystems to a better balance,” said Roger Innes, Distinguished Professor of Biology in the College of Arts and Sciences at Indiana University.
His research into plant immune systems makes this vision possible by uncovering more sustainable ways of fighting agricultural pests and diseases that could increase yields of key crops like soybeans, while at the same time reducing overall costs for farmers.
The National Academy of Sciences has elected Innes as a member of its 2025 cohort for his “distinguished and ongoing achievements in original research.” Innes, who directs the Roger Innes Lab at IU Bloomington, is also an elected fellow of the American Association for the Advancement of Science and the American Academy of Microbiology.
Significant discoveries with widespread impact
Innes’ research centers on plant immune systems, with the goal of finding more ecologically sound ways of protecting plants from pathogens and insects.
“Our current agricultural practices are not sustainable,” he said. “The decline in insect and pollinator populations is largely a result of agriculture. Toxins from pesticides accumulate in our groundwater. It also drastically alters ecosystems. Through genetics, we think we can develop pathogen-resistant crops without having to rely on chemical inputs.”
Source : iu.edu