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2025 Roots-to-Shoots Trial: What the Data Shows

2025 Roots-to-Shoots Trial: What the Data Shows

Corn Root and Soil Biology Trial

Third-Party Evaluation Conducted by RhizeBio

During the 2025 growing season, AgriBio was evaluated by RhizeBio, Inc., an independent biological and soil analytics firm specializing in metagenomic sequencing and soil health diagnostics.

The trial was conducted at the Reese Farm near Findlay, Ohio under real commercial production conditions. This was not a greenhouse study and not a university plot. It was a working farm field.

RhizeBio designed and executed the sampling protocol, performed laboratory analysis, and generated the technical summary.

Trial Design and Sampling Protocol

The study evaluated in-furrow AgriBio application compared directly against a conventional fertility program.

Both treatments received:

  • Same corn hybrid
  • Same planting date and population
  • Same dry fertilizer program
  • Same nitrogen rates and timing
  • Same herbicide and crop protection program

The only variable between treatments was the in-furrow program.

AgriBio In-Furrow Program:

  • BioMax – 5 gal
  • DualStart B – 16 oz
  • DualStart F – 16 oz
  • Pacific Gro Seaphos – 32 oz

Conventional Check In-Furrow:

  • 8-20-4 Starter Fertilizer – 5 gal
  • Novamize – 1 qt

2x2 placement, sidedress nitrogen, and herbicide programs were identical between treatments.

No AgriBio seed treatment was used. No mycorrhizal fungi were applied to the seed in either program. This trial isolates the in-furrow biological response only.

Sampling Timeline

Samples were collected at three vegetative growth stages:

  • V2 – Early vegetative
  • V5 – Mid vegetative
  • V9 – Pre-reproductive

At each stage, RhizeBio collected:

  • Root-associated soil samples
  • Root tissue for shotgun metagenomic DNA sequencing
  • Plant tissue samples for nutrient analysis
  • Haney soil health and nutrient chemistry testing

Each stage included 3 replicated samples, generating 18 total sample sets across the season.

Statistical analysis used Welch’s t-tests with significance thresholds of p<0.05.

What the Data Showed

Progressive Tissue Nitrogen Advantage

The most consistent signal across the entire season was tissue nitrogen.

  • V2: +5.1%
  • V5: +7.2%
  • V8: +11.0%

Treated corn accumulated progressively more nitrogen than the conventional check at each growth stage.

Soil nitrogen pools declined in treated plots while plant tissue nitrogen increased. That indicates improved nitrogen capture and reduced loss compared to the conventional starter system.

Reduced Nitrogen Loss Potential Early

At V2, denitrification potential was significantly reduced in the AgriBio treatment.

Denitrification is one of the primary nitrogen loss pathways in conventional systems. Reducing this pathway improves nitrogen retention efficiency.

  • Lower denitrification gene abundance
  • Improved nitrogen fixation potential
  • Stable nitrification signals

This shift occurred during early root establishment when nitrogen efficiency has the greatest impact on season-long performance.

Microbial Community Response

Shotgun metagenomic sequencing revealed significant early microbial restructuring at V2.

  • Substantial increase in microbial diversity
  • Improved evenness
  • Enhanced potassium solubilization potential
  • Increased calcium transport potential

Compared to the conventional check, the biological treatment stimulated early rhizosphere activity rather than relying strictly on applied fertilizer pools.

Calcium and Potassium Dynamics

By V5, soil calcium increased more than 22 percent in treated plots, the only statistically significant soil chemistry change observed in the study.

Tissue potassium increased mid-season, and calcium transport pathways remained elevated.

This indicates nutrient mobilization activity beyond simple fertilizer supply.

Carbon Cycling Pattern

Organic carbon breakdown potential increased early in treated plots, reflecting microbial activation. Later in the season, respiration stabilized as the system matured.

This early activation followed by stabilization aligns with expected biological stimulation during establishment.

What This Means for Growers

  • Same nitrogen rates
  • Same fertility program
  • Same hybrid and management
  • Only difference was the in-furrow biological system

Under identical conventional nitrogen management, the biological in-furrow program improved nitrogen retention signals and tissue nitrogen accumulation.

Final Takeaway

This was not reduced fertility versus conventional fertility. This was a biological program layered on top of a full conventional nitrogen system.

The independent third-party data suggests early biological stimulation can improve nitrogen efficiency even when base fertility remains unchanged.

We continue to evaluate these responses alongside our full biological system that includes seed treatment and mycorrhizal support.

Want to dive deeper into soil biology and nutrient efficiency?
Explore more practical agronomy insights on the AgriBio Systems Blog.

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