Google X spin-off has created a massive plant database to improve crop development with AI

The data-driven approach of startup Heritable Agriculture aims to modernize traditional plant breeding methods. Recently spun off from Google's X-Division, the company combines machine learning with plant genomics to predict breeding outcomes more accurately.

The company's AI platform goes beyond simple genetic analysis. It examines how genes interact with other plant molecules (multi-omic data), making it easier to pinpoint which genes control specific traits. Their models work similarly to language models, except they process DNA sequences instead of words to identify genome sections controlling plant characteristics.

The system also connects genetic information with environmental factors like weather, soil quality, and climate to predict how well specific plant variants will grow in different locations. This approach could reduce the need for lengthy field trials, potentially accelerating the development of new plant varieties.

Data collection on an industrial scale

At the heart of their work was a special test chamber at X headquarters, where an automated camera system recorded the plant's development every hour. The system recorded precise measurements such as flowering times and structural changes, helping the team to validate their AI models.