University of Illinois Study on Pivot Bio’s Nitrogen Fixation Technology
Tara Desmond
January 30, 2025
Recent research from the University of Illinois has confirmed that Pivot Bio’s Proven 40 product successfully provides nitrogen to corn from the atmosphere. Dr. Fred Below, Dr. Connor Sible, and Dr. Logan Woodward conducted a study to validate the claims of Pivot Bio. Their findings have now been published in an academic journal, providing third-party verification that this microbial-based nitrogen source supplements traditional soil and fertilizer nitrogen.
Key Points
- Pivot Bio’s Proven 40 product enables corn to absorb nitrogen directly from the air, reducing dependence on synthetic fertilizers.
- University of Illinois researchers, led by Dr. Fred Below, Dr. Connor Sible, and Dr. Logan Woodward, conducted a study to validate this claim.
- Their research confirmed that nitrogen from the atmosphere is integrated into the corn plant through specialized bacteria applied to the seed.
- The product helps fill nitrogen deficiency gaps in fields, supplementing traditional sources without replacing them.
- Logan Woodward, now a PhD graduate and agronomist for Pivot Bio, continues to test new products to further improve nitrogen efficiency for farmers.
Research from University of Illinois Trials from Emerson Nafziger:


By Lindsay Croke
•
June 30, 2025
When we think of Independence Day traditions, sweet corn on the cob is as iconic as fireworks and often even more central to the celebration. According to Instacart, purchases of sweet corn surge by 380% over the annual average heading into July 4th, outranking other grilling staples like baby back ribs and burgers. But corn's role in your Fourth of July celebration goes far beyond your plate. In Illinois alone, 8,300 acres of sweet corn are harvested annually, averaging 155 cwt per acre. That’s more than 128 million pounds of locally grown sweetness fueling summer cookouts across the state. And while sweet corn makes a big impression on the grill, most of Illinois’ corn crop isn’t sweet corn - it’s field corn. Less than 1% of the state’s crop is sweet corn, while the rest is used in products that are often invisible to consumers but vital to everyday life: fuel, packaging, fireworks, and even spirits.