Crop Biotech Update

Gene Editing Technology to Fight Corn Disease

March 22, 2023

Corteva Agriscience announced on March 10, 2023, that their game-changing gene editing technology that will give additional protection to elite corn hybrids has advanced through their R&D pipeline. The proprietary technology has multiple disease-resistant native traits packaged into a single location in the gene to better address the most devastating North American corn diseases.

In 2021, Northern leaf blight, Southern rust, gray leaf spot, and anthracnose stalk rot combined to cost North American corn growers more than 318 million bushels in production. The technology will use gene editing to combine and reposition disease resistant traits that are already within the corn genome. Additionally, the technology could result in healthier plants and further increase yield potential.

“This transformational technology represents the next generation of plant breeding innovation,” said Sam Eathington, Chief Technology and Chief Digital Officer of Corteva Agriscience.

For more details, read the news release in Corteva Agriscience Media Center.


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