Corn Varieties That Can Make Their Own Fertilizer Found in Oaxaca, Mexico

Farmers in a small area of southern Mexico knew that a particular variety of corn grown in the area was special. Now, a group of researchers believe that variety could ultimately transform the way the largest crop in America and the world is grown.

The plants in Mexico have bizarre fingerlike roots sticking out of their stalks. The roots secrete a goopy mucus, in which bacteria live.

The bacteria take nitrogen from the air – which plants can't use – and convert it to a different form of nitrogen that they can use. The plants soak up the fixed nitrogen in the gel through the fingerlike roots.

Nitrogen is a critical nutrient for all plants; it's the primary ingredient in chemical fertilizers.

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