I’m cross posting this from the FaceBook Farm-made Biofertz group. It’s an interesting follow-on from Dr James White’s interviews in which he talks about adding endophytes to corn. There is a link to free courses offered by Gowing to Seed (compiled and facilitated by Dr White and colleagues) which I am sure will be worthwhile to many.

Lyudmyla Sharma

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Most Biofertz are inspired by millennia old indigenous farming traditions

Dr James White often brings up Corn Medicine Endophyte Seed Transfer – A Connection Between Traditional Wisdom and Modern Science

It was recorded in the book ‘Iroquois Foods
and Food Preparation’ that the Iroquois would gather roots
of common reed grass (Phragmites australis), bottle brush
(Hystrix patula), Elymus canadiensis, and other common
woodland grasses. Roots would be rinsed and placed in warm
water, probably to aid in the removal or exiting of bacterial
endophytes from roots (and root hairs) into the water. In
some cases, roots were boiled—and this likely resulted in
activation of Bacillus endospores in older parts of the roots.
The Native Americans would then soak and partially
germinate corn seeds in the liquid derived from wild grass
roots. After inoculation with root bacteria, the seeds were
planted in corn mounds. It is difficult to envision how the
Native Americans developed their biostimulant methods, but
it is likely that corn growth and health were considerably
improved beyond the growth of corn without the corn
medicine. It may also be considered that the method for
inoculation with biostimulant microbes used by the Native
Americans, and wherever farmers of different cultures used
similar methods, was likely superior to that used in modern
agriculture in terms of microbial diversity. In modern
methods we tend to select a defined group of soil or plant
microbes to use as biostimulants—while the Native
Americans obtained a larger undefined community of
biostimulant microbes from a selection of wild grasses, and
this increased their chances of obtaining a selection
(community) of microbes that were already adapted to
grasses. In essence, the Native Americans transferred the
entire root microbiome from wild grasses to cultivated corn
to better cultivate their corn crops.

Endophytes: Unseen Allies in Plant Health: Endophytes are microorganisms, primarily bacteria and fungi, that inhabit the internal tissues of plants without causing harm. These symbiotic partners have evolved alongside plants for millennia, contributing to the plants’ resilience against stressors, pathogens, and environmental changes. In recent years, scientific research has illuminated the diverse roles endophytes play in enhancing plant growth, nutrient uptake, and disease resistance. This newfound knowledge aligns with the indigenous peoples belief in the vital role of endophytes transferred through corn seeds.

Corn Medicine and Cultural Significance: The corn medicine tradition involves the transfer of endophytes wild grasses to corn through corn seeds. Elders believe that these “medicine seeds” carry not only the physical attributes of the corn but also the spiritual essence and healing properties. By nurturing these seeds and planting them, the indigenous people maintain a connection to their ancestral wisdom while fostering sustainable agriculture. Research has shown that endophytes present in seeds can influence the health and growth of subsequent plant generations. These microorganisms aid in nutrient acquisition, hormone regulation, and stress tolerance. The Indigenous people’s understanding of the spiritual significance of these endophytes aligns with the emerging understanding of their tangible benefits to plant health.

Potential Agricultural Implications: The corn medicine tradition offers insights into sustainable agriculture practices. Endophyte-inoculated seeds may hold the potential to enhance crop productivity, reduce the need for synthetic inputs, and promote ecological balance. By integrating traditional practices with contemporary agricultural science, we can harness the power of endophytes to address modern agricultural challenges.

Cultural Preservation and Biodiversity: The corn medicine tradition is not solely about agricultural yield; it’s a testament to cultural continuity and preservation. Revitalizing and celebrating such practices can contribute to the conservation of traditional knowledge and biodiversity. This intergenerational transfer of wisdom reinforces the importance of maintaining diverse seed stocks, both for cultural heritage and agricultural resilience.

The corn medicine endophyte seed transfer practice exemplifies the interconnectedness of traditional wisdom and scientific understanding to promote regenerative agricultural practices

Here is how to make corn medicine https://permies.com/t/181216/Adding-endophytes-corn

Scientific foundation in FREE course https://goingtoseed.org/products/1734455