Aerial Rooted Nitrogen Fixing Corn | Experimental Farm Network

I have been breeding corn for a decade to have aerial roots and produce dark purple corn. I now have red corn to be grown with aerial roots as well.

Description

In Oaxaca Mexico there are many varieties of corn adapted to sequester nitrogen from the air. I have developed a Landrace of corn and the off color of the purple that I have developed is a red corn that is perfect for the south eastern United States. I think it could thrive about anywhere where you have 100 days to grow. I would like to adopt us come on to North America so that we can become less dependent on chemical fertilizers.

Researcher background

I was taught corn breeding by Luke Eby . Luke is Old Order Mennonite and avoids the spotlight, however he has developed corn that can keep pace with the production of the USDA’s best producers. I have no “formal” education in plant breeding, and I don’t think that is required.

Are you seeking volunteer growers or other types of volunteers?

Yes, seeking volunteer growers

How many volunteers do you need?

8

What will you ask volunteers to do?

Grow the corn using organic methods and select for red corn with strong aerial roots that secrete gel. Return 500 seeds minimum of te selected corn.

Other requirements of volunteers?

I prefer growers from Missouri down to the Southeast, however this landrace should be able to adapt to any place with a growing season that is long enough. The corn will need to be grow in isolation one mile away from corn setting tassels at the same time.

Is this a multi-year project?

Maybe

Can volunteers expect to be able to keep some germplasm (seeds, bulbs, cuttings, spores, etc) at the close of the project?

Yes, of course

Anything else?

There is a limited amount of seeds available for the project. Seeds will be distributed evenly to the volunteers.

Researcher Location

37846
United States

Project Updates

Northeast Corn Grex

project update by
erin.kassis

Wednesday, December 4, 2024 - 06:38

I know you have enough growers, but I've been crossing and selecting a few resilient corn lines for the Northeast US (alternating which I grow for the past ten years). I've been excited to incorporate the self-feeding genetics into the pools I've been stewarding. If you want a Western Massachusetts grower for this project, let me know! And if anyone else in the region wants to chat and/or collaborate, let me know.

Seeds

project update by
jkochosc

Saturday, July 6, 2024 - 01:57

Hi! I’d love to join. I grow organic corn and have a small combine so I could increase the seed population very quickly with a couple pounds of seed. Too late for this season, but I’d love to put some in for 2025. I’ve been looking for a source of this for a while, super excited!

Erik

Full up

project update by
kevinbane883_1

Thursday, January 11, 2024 - 08:28

We have more volunteers than I have seed. I have emailed the first nine people. If I do not receive a response within a week. I will go ahead and move onto the next volunteers.