Grow four crops of soybeans in one year? No way!

Yes, there is a way. And when I heard about it, I knew I needed to see for myself. Here is the story:

Who? Benson Hill is a genetics company that uses technology to produce soybean seed varieties with differentiated, high-value traits for feed, human food, fuel and more.

Where? The company is headquartered in a St. Louis suburb, on the western side of the city. Its Crop Accelerator facility was constructed in 2021 and encompasses just over an acre of land.

What is the facility like? Technically, these soybeans aren’t grown in greenhouses. They grow in growth chambers that are fully environmentally controlled, according to Karla Santos, who helps manage the growth chambers. Plants grow at the temperature, humidity and light levels programmed into automatic controls. Staff can even control wavelengths of light.

“Each plant is in its own pot,” Santos explains. “A plastic band attached to the plant contains its own identification code. Water and fertilizer are provided as prescribed by our staff through individual tubes, each feeding a specific pot.”

How many plants? The Crop Accelerator building contains 22 growth chambers, each capable of holding hundreds of pots, one plant per pot.

Plants tagged and growing in these pots represent germplasm in the Benson Hill genetics vault. Staff select potential matings using the CropOS system, powered by artificial intelligence to make informed choices about which genetics to evaluate next. The more plants grown at one time, the faster the staff can grow out these projected matches and make selections.

Related:Companies focus on breeding better crops faster

What type of soil? The plants don’t grow in topsoil like you farm on your best fields. It’s a growing substrate optimized for soybeans in this environment. Using a specific substrate guarantees consistency over time.

How fast? Currently, turnover rate is better than four crops per year, averaging 4.3 crops every 12 months, Santos says. If seed is needed more quickly, Santos manipulates factors like duration and wavelength of light to produce seed faster. However, that may result in harvesting fewer seeds per plant. Sometimes, only a small amount of seed is required. If more seed is needed, plants receive a different growing regimen and are allowed to grow longer.

Who benefits? Aaron Robinson, vice president of product development, says farmers and end users reap the benefits of the Benson Hill process. Farmers get access to improved varieties, and end users obtain more efficient traits faster than if the company relied on traditional breeding techniques.

Where can you learn more? Visit the company website and take a virtual tour of the Crop Accelerator. And check out the accompanying slideshow.