{"product_id":"slime-corn-self-fertilizing-nitrogen-fixing-trait","title":"SLIME Corn! \u003c\u003c Self-Fertilizing Nitrogen Fixing Trait \u003e\u003e","description":"\u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003e*Now shipping!* Limit 2 packets per garden *\u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003eZea Mays\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eDays to Maturity: 120-140 (plant in late April to mid-May)\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThis is our second-year selection (F2) of the slime trait from our \u003ca rel=\"noopener\" title=\"Rainbow corn landrace seeds\" href=\"https:\/\/vibrantearthseeds.com\/products\/rainbow-corn-landrace\" target=\"_blank\"\u003eRainbow Corn Landrace.\u003c\/a\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eCorn with this slime trait can self-fertilize by fixing nitrogen from the atmosphere,\u003c\/strong\u003e 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!\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThis \u003ca rel=\"noopener\" href=\"https:\/\/plantae.org\/nitrogen-fixing-corn-slime-a-mexican-maize-landrace-supports-nitrogen-fixing-microbiota-in-aerial-root-mucilage\/\" target=\"_blank\"\u003e\u003cspan style=\"text-decoration: underline;\"\u003earticle published by the American Society of Plant Biologists\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/a\u003e 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 \u003cspan style=\"text-decoration: underline;\"\u003e\u003ca rel=\"noopener\" href=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/watch?v=CFyd-kC6IUw\" target=\"_blank\"\u003eBBC documentary\u003c\/a\u003e. \u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eHelp 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.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eHere's how you can help:\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eIf 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)\u003cbr\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003ePlant this corn, save the seed from plants with slime and distribute it widely. Plant those seeds again next year and repeat.\u003cbr\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eContact us if you need more bulk seed for a larger field planting or planting experiment. \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003ePlanting Instructions: \u003c\/strong\u003ePlant 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.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eSeed Saving Instructions:\u003c\/strong\u003e 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.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cem\u003eApprox 50 Slime-Selected Rainbow Corn seeds per packet\u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003eLimit 2 packets per person\u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003ciframe title=\"YouTube video player\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/KaG6ebGaxHw\" height=\"315\" width=\"560\"\u003e\u003c\/iframe\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Vibrant Earth Seeds","offers":[{"title":"Packet","offer_id":51765458796775,"sku":"sku-45924128391323","price":13.95,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0268\/7769\/0026\/files\/20240812_143356.jpg?v=1770138945","url":"https:\/\/shop.iamcountryside.com\/products\/slime-corn-self-fertilizing-nitrogen-fixing-trait","provider":"Countryside","version":"1.0","type":"link"}