MSU plans to deliver coupled plant and microbial solutions to optimize corn nitrogen relations and enhance beneficial interactions within the soil food web

The Department of Energy Advanced Research Projects Agency awarded Michigan State University a $6.081 million Cooperative Agreement on June 4, 2026, to deliver coupled plant and microbial solutions that optimize corn nitrogen relations and enhance soil food web interactions. The work will employ spatiotemporally tuned plant genetic engineering to enhance root system architecture and internal nitrogen metabolism, leverage beneficial arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi to extend root absorptive area, and increase the abundance of non-pathogenic soil nematodes that mineralize nitrogen. The project will also promote nitrogen remobilization from leaves to root tissue at season end and incorporate cover crops to support continuous nitrogen capture and retention, reducing leaching and emissions during off-season periods. Performance runs through June 3, 2029, at Michigan State University's East Lansing, Michigan campus. This award is made under the Advanced Research Projects Agency-Energy program (CFDA 81.135), which supports high-potential, high-impact energy technologies too early for private-sector investment. The obligation amount is $6,081,105.

Our approach targets current inefficiencies in the agricultural nitrogen(n) cycle, providing interventions that synchronize soil n supply with plant demand. Using spatiotemporally tuned plant genetic engineering, their project will enhance root system architecture and internal n metabolism, leverage beneficial arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF) to extend root absorptive area, and increase the abundance of non-pathogenic soil nematodes that mineralize nitrogen. Remobilization of n from leaves to root tissue at the end of the season and the incorporation of cover crops promotes continuous n capture and retention, reducing leaching and emissions during off-season periods and priming the system for the following year.