Grasses supply most human calories, yet their growth mechanisms remain underexplored
Original framing: “Grasses provide most of the world's calories—but we're only now starting to learn how they grow” — Phys.org
The domestication of grasses like wheat and rice dates back 10,000 years, forming the basis of early civilizations. The current neglect of grass biology reflects a historical pattern of undervaluing traditional knowledge and overemphasizing technological novelty.
Grasses are foundational to global food systems, yet their growth mechanisms remain underexplored due to a combination of scientific bias, historical neglect, and the marginalization of Indigenous and smallholder knowledge.
By integrating Indigenous practices, increasing funding for grass biology, and promoting policies that support sustainable agriculture, we can build more resilient food systems. The trickster lens reveals how our dismissal of grasses reflects a deeper cultural bias toward novelty over foundational knowledge. A cross-cultural and interdisciplinary approach, grounded in both scientific and traditional wisdom, is essential to addressing the systemic challenges of food security in a changing climate.