A gene-edited microbe is giving corn constant access to nitrogen — without the waste, the runoff or the fertilizer bill.
Synthetic nitrogen has powered modern agriculture for more than a century. But it’s never been perfect. Some of it feeds the crop. The rest escapes into groundwater, into the atmosphere or off the balance sheet. As costs rise and regulations tighten, seed developers are turning to a new ally: engineered microbes that feed corn from the root up.
Fixing Nitrogen Where It Matters Most
Recent gene-editing breakthroughs have allowed scientists to modify naturally occurring bacteria, enhancing their ability to fix atmospheric nitrogen. When integrated into seed treatments, these microbes offer seed developers a promising tool to improve nutrient efficiency and reduce environmental impact.
“Nitrogen in air is two nitrogen atoms that are triple bonded, and it takes a good amount of energy to break that triple bond and then ultimately reduce it to a plant available form,” explains Logan Woodward, product development agronomist for Pivot Bio.
Woodward, a University of Illinois alum, completed his graduate work researching Proven 40, a biological product developed by Pivot Bio. Proven 40 is the first gene-edited bacteria of its kind, designed to continuously convert atmospheric nitrogen into forms usable by plants.
Why Native Bacteria Don’t Always Help
Most soils already host nitrogen-fixing bacteria. Using the enzyme nitrogenase, these microbes can convert atmospheric nitrogen into ammonium, a plant-available form. However, this is an energy-intensive process — and microbes tend to take shortcuts.
“Corn growers have typically applied synthetic nitrogen to improve corn yields, and as a result, there are abundant levels of nitrogen in our soils. However, that does not mean that all of this synthetic nitrogen is utilized by the plant,” Woodward says.
When nitrogen is abundant, native microbes stop fixing it. They use what’s already there and avoid the energy cost of fixing more.
Pumping the Brakes
They tackled that limitation. Woodward says their gene-edited bacteria continue to fix atmospheric nitrogen, no matter how much synthetic nitrogen is already present.
“We basically turned off the feedback mechanism and they’ll continue to fix nitrogen as long as they have an energy source,” he says.
Seed-applied microbes have the advantage of starting work the moment seeds germinate. These bacteria colonize the root zone and rely on carbon compounds exuded by the roots for energy. In return, they provide nitrogen throughout the plant’s early development.
“We target the roots when applying our microbes,” Woodward says. “The roots give off carbon through their exudates, and that’s their energy source. They’re going to grow along that root and fix nitrogen.”
Minimizing Loss, Maximizing Efficiency
Unlike synthetic fertilizers — which are prone to loss through runoff or evaporation—these microbes deliver nitrogen directly to the plant. It’s a more consistent and controlled method of nutrient delivery, and it positions seed developers to offer a product that enhances both yield and sustainability.
Proof in the Plots
At the University of Illinois, field trials showed promising results. Woodward and his team tracked nitrogen uptake and biomass through multiple growth stages, seeing consistent improvements.
“We saw the ability to replace up to 35 pounds of nitrogen early in the season, and around 25 pounds by the VT-R1 stage,” he says. “The yield responses were very consistent—about four bushels per acre at intermediate nitrogen rates.”
Plants begin determining yield potential during early vegetative stages long before ears appear. The gene-edited microbes provide a continuous, slow-release source of nitrogen during this critical window.
“Consistent nitrogen being fed to the plants can result in better plant health and a better opportunity for those corn hybrids to reach full yield potential,” Woodward explains.
Stronger Start, Smoother Finish
As plants transition from vegetative growth to reproduction, their energy is redirected toward filling grain. By that time, treated plants already have more biomass and stronger energy reserves, which can support better seed set and fill.
Built-In Sustainability
Incorporating nitrogen-fixing microbes into seed coatings offers seed developers a new advantage. These products reduce dependence on synthetic fertilizers and fit into existing grower programs without requiring management overhauls.
The science suggests they can replace 35 to 40 pounds of applied nitrogen.
“We recommend reducing nitrogen from your most inefficient applications first,” Woodward notes. “Things like fall-applied anhydrous or weed-and-feed passes—applications where you’re putting down nitrogen when the crop isn’t even there yet.”
Applying nitrogen to bare soil increases the risk of loss. These bacteria help cut waste by delivering nitrogen directly to the root zone, only when and where it’s needed.
In-furrow or side-dress applications won’t cancel out the benefits. These microbes are designed to fix nitrogen regardless of soil conditions, making them a reliable supplement rather than a competing source.
What’s Next for Seed Innovation
With nitrogen regulations tightening and fertilizer costs on the rise, gene-edited microbes are poised to become a cornerstone of seed development. They offer a biological solution that aligns with both economic and environmental priorities.
As seed companies look to redefine nitrogen strategies, microbial partnerships like these can lead the way. For developers pushing toward better performance and greater sustainability, Woodwards’s gene-edited microbes are worth a closer look.
