On-farm biomass recycling with biostimulant Re-Gen increases corn yields in multi-year farm trials

Abstract

The United States produced 15.1 billion bushels of corn for grain in 2023, relying on harmful synthetic chemicals such as fertilizer and pesticides to ensure high yields. This dependency on agrochemicals has negatively impacted the environment and soil microbiome, therefore, there is a need to rebuild soil health by implementing regenerative agricultural practices. One increasingly utilized regenerative practice is the application of biostimulants, or microbial inoculants that can rebuild soil health and productivity. A multi-year corn trial was conducted to quantify the impact of Re-Gen, a biostimulant invented to degrade woody biomass and increase nutrient bioavailability in the soil, to increase corn yield at a dairy farm in Ferrisburgh, Vermont. Over the two-year trial, Re-Gen application on corn stover and cover crop residues increased corn bushels per acre by 24% and increased tons of corn silage per acre by 12.5-30%, depending on the field. Soil nutrient analysis and plant tissue analysis showed increased nutrients, particularly in one trial field. Multi-year Re-Gen application showed increased monetary value, indicating that the effects of Re-Gen do not diminish with multiple applications. Further investigation into the mechanism suggests that increased phosphatase production stimulated by Re-Gen could contribute to increased phosphorus bioavailability in the soil and uptake in the tissue, potentially increasing yields. These results highlight the potential for Re-Gen to foster regenerative agriculture processes while also increasing yield and, therefore, revenue for corn farmers in the United States.