Mycotoxins produced by corn ear rots grabbed more headlines in the Corn Belt recently, showing up more often and across a broader geography. While researchers test possible preventative measures that farmers could use in the field, a recent discovery in South America is significant. Some believe it could revolutionize testing and monitoring in the food chain, from farm fields to dinner tables.

Researchers at the Brazilian Agricultural Research Corp., known as Embrapa, and the Federal University of Minas Gerais (UFMG) developed an innovative method to detect fumonisin, a mycotoxin produced by fusarium ear rot, without grinding samples or using chemicals. Their work is documented in the Brazilian Journal of Biology.

A device using NIR-HIS technology uses the principle of diffuse reflectance. It depends on the chemical and structural properties of the material tested. Maria Lucia Simeone, a researcher with Embrapa Maize and Sorghum, says this nondestructive method locates chemical changes in complex systems pixel by pixel, allowing machine operators to visualize them. Compared to current detection techniques, this method is faster and cheaper and doesn’t use chemicals.

“This methodology has the potential to transform the way we quantify and control fumonisin, ensuring food quality and safety,” Simeone concludes.

Unlock organic phosphorus

Developers say PhosForce from Koch Agronomic Services accesses tied-up phosphorus in soils and releases it through an enzyme-based mode of action. PhosForce will be marketed as a novel phosphorus use efficiency product, creating more plant-available phosphorus in soils. The active ingredient, phosphodiesterase, is a naturally occurring enzyme.

Company trials show a 5-bushel-per-acre advantage in corn and 3.4-bushel-per-acre edge in soybeans, plus advantages in cotton and potatoes. Tissue sampling indicated corn treated with this product contained 23% more phosphorus. Visit kochagronomicservices.com.

Companies combine

AgroLiquid, St. Johns, Mich., recently acquired Monty’s Plant Food Co., Louisville, Ky. This acquisition combines two family-founded businesses with similar goals of providing quality crop nutrition and soil health services to farmers.

“This strategic combination allows us to bring crop nutrition technologies to growers that wouldn’t otherwise be available to them,” says Nick Bancroft, CEO of AgroLiquid. He says the combined company will create new opportunities for farmers to optimize nutrient efficiency and productivity.

Monty’s Plant Food will operate under its current name as a privately owned company, notes Jeff Sangalli, who will lead that business. Learn more at agroliquid.com.

Pasture weed control

NovaGraz herbicide from Corteva Agriscience will be available for weed control in pastures in 2025, according to the company. Spokespersons bill it as the only broad-spectrum weed control product for pastures that preserves white clover and annual lespedeza. It offers quick plant-back opportunities. Learn more at corteva.us.

Indigo Ag in the news

Indigo Ag made news twice recently. First, Indigo Ag and Growmark announced a multiyear strategic partnership to market new powder-based biological products and sustainability programming through Growmark member companies and farmers. Indigo’s new Clips device, an innovative, flowable powder seed coating application system, is touted as one reason for the partnership.

Second, Indigo Ag and Truterra entered a strategic collaboration that expands access to registry-based credit opportunities through Indigo’s carbon program for farmers and ag retailers in the Truterra network. It also expands Indigo’s and Truterra’s Scope 3 programs, using consistent standards for companies wanting to reduce carbon emissions in the grain and livestock ingredient supply chains.