Biotech Updates

Study on Reducing Fertilizer Use in Maize Receives Funding

January 27, 2012

Danforth Plant Science Center scientist Ivan Baxter is conducting a study with the goal of decreasing the amount of fertilizer used in growing maize. By using Nested Association Mapping (NAM) population, a unique and powerful genetic resource, Baxter's team will identify the relationship of genes and mineral nutrients and toxic elements from different soil conditions. This project has received a research funding of US$1.3 M from the U.S. National Science Foundation.

"The USDA-ARS lab at the Danforth Center can rapidly analyze large genetic populations of the diverse staple crop with the statistically powerful resource of Nested Association Mapping," said Baxter. "The grant addresses issues critical for agriculture, the environment and human health and will further our understanding of how soil conditions affect the elemental composition of maize."

The media release is posted at http://www.danforthcenter.org/wordpress/?p=8282.