Biotech Updates

Drought Tolerant Corn Shows Promising Results

August 3, 2012

Biotech corn lines with improved drought tolerance are currently under testing in different areas. DroughtGard hybrid corn was planted this spring in initial field trials covering 100,000 acres across western Great Plains, where intense arid weather is happening this year. So far, the anecdotal results of the trials are favorable according to Monsanto researchers.

"We're starting to see some real winners in the plots," said Clay Scott, a corn grower who volunteered to have his land for testing which is located in western Kansas where there is extreme to exceptional drought, according to the U.S. Drought Monitor. "I'm excited about it (corn)," he added.

Another drought tolerant corn is DuPont Pioneer's AQUAmax, which was developed through advanced breeding techniques. AQUAmax was launched last year, and it was reported to have increased yields by 7 percent in stressed environments compared to conventional hybrids.

Read more updates on drought tolerant corn at http://www.scientificamerican.com/article.cfm?id=drought-tolerant-corn-trials-show-positive-early-results.