Microbes in Soil May Influence Rainfall, Study Suggests
Microbes in Soil May Influence Rainfall, Study Suggests
US · Published Apr 19, 2026
Study reveals soil microbes, including bacteria and fungi, influence rainfall.
Fungal ice-nucleating proteins are highly effective at seeding clouds, even in warmer conditions.
Understanding soil microbes can improve weather forecasting and cloud seeding techniques.
Soil microbes' role in rainfall patterns highlighted
A recent study reveals that soil microbes, including bacteria and fungi, significantly influence rainfall patterns. These microorganisms produce ice-nucleating proteins (INpros) that act as cloud seeds, initiating ice crystal formation in clouds. While bacteria like Pseudomonas syringae were previously recognized for this capability, the study underscores the substantial contribution of fungi, such as Fusarium and Mortierella. These fungal proteins are water-soluble and more effective at seeding clouds, even in warmer conditions, enhancing our understanding of the bioprecipitation cycle.
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