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Aerial Rooted Nitrogen Fixing Corn

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

Plant Breeding
Seed-Saving

Project Updates

Seeds in 2026?


project update by
growfoodwell
Sunday, January 4, 2026 - 04:19

Hello. Would love to volunteer to grow some in the Southwest this spring of 2026. I have grown Hopi Blue flour corn here for over 24 years.
I can isolate and grow some of your red or purple corn if you like. I'm quite curious how it would do here. We have a 140 day growing season.
Thanks for info either way.

Cheers
Tom Bartels

Grow out in Northern California


project update by
drchristy
Wednesday, December 3, 2025 - 02:09

Hello, I'd love to purchase some seed from you. We have a group of about 10 permaculture properties in the Santa Cruz mountains and I'd love to grow and select for nitrogen-fixing corn varieties that thrive here. Happy to pay for seeds and shipping and also happy to return seeds to you. My email is: drchristy@simplyvibrant.com

We would like to join


project update by
jonathanzhu614
Wednesday, July 23, 2025 - 12:11

We can grow corn! The only thing is that it would be nice if the organizer can subsidize shipping since we are very tight on funding, and shipping 500 seeds can get expensive with pirority.

Indigenous Farming Practices


project update by
ediblecottage
Wednesday, March 12, 2025 - 10:01

I traveled to Oaxaca in May of 2024 for a study abroad program. But I was also searching for these seeds. A Zapotec farmer graciously gave me some seeds but they're not this Nitrogen Fixing variety. I grow Indigenous plants, save seeds, and distribute seeds to Indigenous populations. I would love to be a part of this project to test these out on my urban farm in Indiana and my rural farm in Mississippi. Thank you

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.