Bugs that save harvests: the invisible allies of crops with  Dr. Karen Muñoz

Bugs that save harvests: the invisible allies of crops with Dr. Karen Muñoz

Author: Science behind the Glass March 12, 2026 Duration: 53:13

In the world of agriculture, the spotlight usually falls on the harvest, but what happens beneath the surface and within the plants is vital. In this episode of Science Behind the Glass, Dr. Karen Muñoz Cárdenas, a leading researcher in crop biodiversity, we discover how tiny organisms — mites, nematodes, bacteria, and more — not only sustain our crops, but also forge a crucial alliance with farmers.

Karen shares her passion for these mites and how her life, shaped by Colombian landscapes, led her to uncover the tiny world of animals that protect our crops.

Timestamps

00:00 Introduction to Tiny Allies in Agriculture

02:58 Karen's Journey and Inspiration for Biodiversity

08:45 The Role of Farmers in Biodiversity

11:55 Understanding Biological Controllers

16:01 Experiences with Mites and Their Impact

18:48 The Fascination with Balloustium Mites

22:05 The Life Cycle of Mites and Soil Importance

25:47 Research and Discoveries in Biological Control

29:19 Transitioning to Entrepreneurship in Biological Solutions

37:25 Sustainable Agriculture: Moving Beyond Monocultures

48:08 Empowering Scientists and Communities for Change

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References

https://vandersteensolutions.com/home/

https://www.xerces.org/blog/planting-for-helpful-predators-how-natural-enemies-can-control-garden-pests-for-you


¿Quiénes son realmente las personas que hacen posible la ciencia? Science Behind the Glass: illuminating the human side es un espacio sonoro bilingüe (español e inglés) dedicado a iluminar esas historias que suelen quedar en la sombra. Aquí no solo hablamos de descubrimientos, sino de las vidas detrás de ellos: ingenieras resolviendo problemas en terreno, analistas de datos descifrando patrones invisibles, líderes comunitarias aplicando conocimiento ancestral o técnicos de laboratorio cuyo minucioso trabajo es fundamental. Cada episodio de este podcast te lleva a través de conversaciones íntimas y narrativas profundas, recogiendo testimonios desde diversos rincones del mundo. Escucharás sobre las motivaciones personales, los obstáculos superados y los momentos de duda y triunfo que rara vez llegan a los titulares, pero que constituyen el verdadero motor de la investigación. Es una invitación a conocer la textura humana del quehacer científico, aquella que ocurre tras el cristal de las vitrinas académicas y los artículos especializados. Acompáñanos a descubrir las voces, a menudo calladas, cuyo esfuerzo colectivo da forma a nuestro entendimiento del mundo.
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Science Behind the Glass: illuminating the human side
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