SLIME Corn! << Self-Fertilizing Nitrogen Fixing Trait >>

*Now shipping!* Limit 2 packets per garden *

Zea Mays

Days to Maturity: 120-140 (plant in late April to mid-May)

This is our second-year selection (F2) of the slime trait from our Rainbow Corn Landrace.

Corn with this slime trait can self-fertilize by fixing nitrogen from the atmosphere, via microbiota in the slimy mucilage on its aerial brace roots (see first two photos). In 2024 we observed the slime dripping from brace roots on about 5% of our plants, and we saved the corn seed from those plants. Our slimy corn plants grew significantly taller than non-slimy corn plants, and produced significantly longer ears of corn than non-slimy corn plants (both long ears of corn in the 3rd photo are from slime corn). This supports the theory that the slime is indeed fixing nitrogen from the atmosphere!

This article published by the American Society of Plant Biologists investigates the slime trait and its potential impact on revolutionizing agriculture by greatly reducing the need for synthetic nitrogen inputs. You can also learn more by watching this BBC documentary. 

Help us distribute this open-pollinated slime trait widely! Corporations may lead consumers to believe that the slime trait can only be accessed through genetic manipulation (especially for northern climates where day-length is shorter). Our corn tells us otherwise! Our corn is a highly diverse landrace so we are as yet unsure about which genetics contain the slime trait. We intend to select more for the slime trait every year and observe the corn more closely.

Here's how you can help:

• If you already grow native corn: observe the aerial brace roots for slime and let us know what variety you grow and what you find (slime OR no slime)
  
• Plant this corn, save the seed from plants with slime and distribute it widely. Plant those seeds again next year and repeat.
  

Contact us if you need more bulk seed for a larger field planting or planting experiment. 

Planting Instructions: Plant corn seeds 6" deep in late April-mid May in clumps of 5 seeds per hole, spaced 3-5 feet apart. No thinning is necessary. Video contains further guidance.

Seed Saving Instructions: Pick corn cobs when fingernail does not dent kernels, as leaves are browning. Shuck cobs (remove leaves) and allow kernels to dry fully on the cob. Store seeds in a paper or mesh bag in a cool, dark and dry location.

Approx 50 Slime-Selected Rainbow Corn seeds per packet

Limit 2 packets per person