University of Illinois has officially published results from its latest research, which was designed to assess the transformative potential of Pivot Bio’s patented gene-edited microbes solution, called PROVEN® 40, as an essential third source of nitrogen for corn production.
Talk about PROVEN® 40 on a slightly deeper level, it was specifically made to reshape naturally occurring soil bacteria into efficient nitrogen-fixing factories for corn plants. More on the same would reveal how these innovative microbes are capable of delivering an in-season nitrogen supply during vegetative growth stages, when crop demand is highest.
By doing so, the solution makes it possible for farmers to supplement synthetic fertilizers and manure, while simultaneously improving crop consistency and building resilience across their nitrogen management programs.
Markedly enough, PROVEN® 40 actually draws its basis from more than a decade of research, with its efficacy validated across 6,147 fields in 34 states, involving over 2,500 farmers. Furthermore, it is also supported by 60 patents and 250 pending patent applications. Not just that, the solution has been extensively tested across trials conducted by more than 20 top universities,
“In our nearly 15 years of innovation and over 15 million cumulative acres, we’ve learned a great deal from growers about how and when our technology integrates best into their holistic nitrogen management strategies. This research not only affirms the measurable benefits of PROVEN® 40 today but also provides a foundation for ongoing learning and development. We’re deeply thankful to the researchers at the University of Illinois for their rigorous work in advancing our understanding and placement of these technologies,” said Chris Abbott, CEO of Pivot Bio.
Turning our attention towards the new study, it revealed enhanced plant nitrogen uptake during critical growth stages. This translates to how, during the whole exercise, treated plants exhibited greater nitrogen accumulation, healthier biomass, and stronger vegetative growth, particularly during early growth stages.
Next up, the study presented direct evidence of atmospheric-derived nitrogen absorption. Here, researchers got to see a measurable decrease in the isotope 15N in treated plants, something which treads up a long distance to confirm that nitrogen fixed by PROVEN® 40 microbes was absorbed by the corn plants.
Moving on, University of Illinois’ study also discovered a reliable in-season nitrogen contribution. We get to call it reliable because PROVEN® 40 delivered up to 35 pounds of nitrogen per acre from the atmosphere during early growth. You see, while nitrogen contributions faltered a little later in the season, the product was able to consistently support crop health and stability during the critical vegetative stage, and this it did without compromising yields.
The research in question builds upon the findings of a separate study, conducted by Purdue University and the University of Wisconsin-Madison. In case you weren’t aware, this particular study demonstrated that farmers using PROVEN® 40 can confidently replace 35 to 40 pounds per acre of the most volatile forms of synthetic nitrogen and achieve the same or better yields at harvest.
Founded in 2011, Pivot Bio’s rise up the ranks stems from helping farmers access patented crop nutrition technologies that harness the power of nature to reliably and productively grow food in the face of increasing volatility. The company’s excellence in what it does can also be understood once you consider it has been recognized three times by Time magazine on its annual list of best inventions, by Fast Company on its World Changing Ideas and World’s 50 Most Innovative Companies lists, by CNBC on its Disruptor 50 list of private companies, as well as by Fortune on its Impact 20 list of startups driving social good
“This work underscores the untapped potential of atmospheric nitrogen in corn production,” said Logan Woodward, a Ph.D. in crop production and lead researcher on the study. “Corn is often limited to soil nitrogen and fertilizer, and one or both of these sources can fail growers in challenging weather conditions. When we applied PROVEN® 40, we observed significant increases in plant nitrogen accumulation, with a measurable portion of that nitrogen derived from the atmosphere. Additionally, these improvements coincided with an increase in kernel numbers, indicating increased nitrogen availability during vegetative growth.”
