Duckweed, a fast-growing aquatic plant, thrives in various environments such as wastewater and ponds, making it a promising candidate for sustainable agriculture.

This versatile plant can grow with minimal resources, effectively farming itself under proper conditions with sunlight and carbon dioxide.

Recent research from Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory has sequenced the genomes of five duckweed species, revealing genes linked to its unique features like rootless growth and efficient carbon capture.

Professor Rob Martienssen emphasized the precision of their gene catalog, which identifies traits related to open stomata and root absence, enhancing duckweed's adaptability.

Open stomata are essential for carbon dioxide intake, making duckweed valuable for carbon capture technologies.

The study also indicates that duckweed diverged into different species around 59 million years ago, providing insights into its evolutionary past and potential future environmental applications.

As commercial interest in duckweed agriculture grows, the industry remains in its early stages, with growers experimenting with various species to assess their suitability for local conditions.

Certain duckweed species are noted for their high protein production, making them suitable for animal feed, while others excel in starch accumulation for biofuel production.

Overall, duckweed's significant potential spans applications in food, fuel, and climate solutions, positioning it as a key player in sustainable practices.

The findings were published on April 1, 2025, in the journal Current Biology, supported by funding from the Howard Hughes Medical Institute and the U.S. Department of Energy.