Biotech Updates

Pioneer Expands Corn Drought Research Efforts

September 25, 2009

Drought resistance breeding is a complicated research objective that requires dedicated facilities for screening and evaluation of germplasm. This was recognized by the Pioneer Hi-Bred, a Du Pont Business, which has  established new facilities for drought research. Two research sites - Manhattan, Kansas and Plainview, Texas facilties were improved to strengthen the company's commitment to bring better genetics and traits that meet specific challenges facing growers. This will also allow the company to establish managed stress environments and irrigation systems in the evaluation of native and transgenic lines with drought tolerance.

Research focus in these facilities will be on Drought product development initiatives: Drought I strategy will combine native drought genes with needed traits in the most elite adapted inbreds for drought-prone areas; and Drought II initiative will focus on transgenic gene evaluation and intergration into the most elite and adapted germplasm.

For details, see the article at http://www.pioneer.com/web/site/portal/menuitem.7e8efb38f124fa3e4a624a62d10093a0/