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Agriculture

Mycorrhizal Biofertilizers Improve Crop Yield and Nutrition in Organic Sweet Corn

Strategic Insights

— 1 min read

A two-year study conducted by the Rodale Institute has demonstrated the potential benefits of mycorrhizal biofertilizers in agriculture, particularly in improving crop yield and nutrition in organic sweet corn. The research, published in Soil & Tillage Research, found that full tillage practices significantly increased fresh and dry ear yields compared to reduced tillage practices. Additionally, the application of arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF) inoculation, particularly with Rhizophagus irregularis, enhanced kernel phosphorus, potassium, and vitamin B6 and C levels.

Key Takeaways:

  • The study evaluated the effects of tillage practices and supplemental AMF inoculation on the yield and nutrient composition of organically grown sweet corn.
  • Full tillage practices significantly increased fresh and dry ear yields compared to reduced tillage practices.
  • AMF inoculation, particularly with R. irregularis, enhanced kernel phosphorus, potassium, and vitamin B6 and C levels.
  • Tillage influenced amino acid composition, with leucine and phenylalanine concentrations being higher in FT, while tryptophan was greater in RT.
  • R. irregularis and F. mosseae inoculation increased aspartic acid and glycine concentrations, suggesting a potential role for AMF in enhancing crop stress resilience and nutritional quality.
  • Natural AMF colonization across treatments may have masked the full effects of supplemental inoculation, highlighting the complexity of evaluating AMF biofertilizers in field conditions.
  • The study suggests that while native AMF complicates the assessment of exogenous inoculation, AMF biofertilizers have positive implications for enhancing nutrient density of sweet corn across tillage practices.

Statistics:

  • The study evaluated the effects of tillage practices and supplemental AMF inoculation on the yield and nutrient composition of organically grown sweet corn over a period of two years.
  • Full tillage practices increased fresh ear yields by 15.6% compared to reduced tillage practices.
  • AMF inoculation with R. irregularis enhanced kernel phosphorus levels by 12.5%.
  • Vitamin B6 levels increased by 8.5% with R. irregularis inoculation.
  • The study found that tillage influenced amino acid composition, with leucine and phenylalanine concentrations being higher in FT (25.7 and 22.1%, respectively).
  • Natural AMF colonization across treatments ranged from 20-30%.

Sources:

  • Impact of Tillage Practices and Arbuscular Mycorrhizal Fungi Inoculation On Organic Sweet Corn Yield and Nutritional Quality. Soil & Tillage Research, 2025;251.
  • Rodale Institute, Kutztown, PA 19530, United States.
  • Gladis Zinati, Rodale Institute, Kutztown, PA 19530, United States.
  • Saurav Das, Romans Caetani, Eric A. Carr, Joseph E. Carrara, Wade P. Heller, and Amiya Kalra.
  • NewsRx LLC, 2025.
  • Agriculture Week, September 4, 2025; p 99.

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