Boone, Iowa
August 26, 2008
Technology a big step in
increasing corn and soybean yields 40 percent in 10 years
DuPont today unveiled an
advanced technology that will transform seed research and
considerably speed up the development of higher yielding corn
and soybean varieties.
DuPont business Pioneer Hi-Bred
introduced Laser-Assisted Seed Selection to farmers
attending the Farm Progress Show here as the newest tool in its
Accelerated Yield Technology (AYT) toolbox. The
technology promises to increase the size and scope of the
Pioneer breeding program five fold in the next three years.
Laser-Assisted Seed Selection uses a 120-watt carbon dioxide
laser to score a small slice from a seed to capture its genetic
information while maintaining the seed's viability for planting.
Molecular breeding techniques are used to identify desirable
genetic combinations within each individual scored seed slice.
Seeds identified to have superior genetics are selected for
planting and advancement through the Pioneer research program.
"Laser-Assisted Seed Selection transforms our research program
because it intensifies the impact of other AYT technologies such
as molecular breeding by enabling the rapid selection of the
best genetics for advancement before they ever leave the lab,"
said William S. Niebur, vice resident - DuPont Crop Genetics
Research and Development. "Our engineers and scientists have
come up with a truly unique technology that will have a
significant impact on the rate we bring higher yielding products
to Pioneer customers."
Laser-Assisted Seed Selection is a key component in the Pioneer
effort to increase the yields of its corn hybrids and soybean
varieties by 40 percent within 10 years. Pioneer has numerous
patents pending for the technology and will be using it on
millions of corn and soybean seeds by the end of 2009.
Laser-Assisted Seed Selection is a collection of proprietary
processes that includes precise magnetic-based orientation of
the seed, laser scoring, seed and slice collection, advanced
seed selection and planting.
Transforming Pioneer Seed Research
Prior to molecular breeding and Laser-Assisted Seed Selection,
research scientists had to evaluate plants in the field and
select genetics based solely upon their physical characteristics
or phenotype. Physical analysis of plants took years of field
trials, thousands of hours and acre upon acre of land prior to
development of a commercial hybrid.
"The millions of phenotypic points of data Pioneer researchers
have collected over the years have made AYT a reality," Niebur
said. "These data points are living within a supercomputer that
has decoded much of the genetic code of our industry-leading
germplasm. With this broad molecular insight and AYT tools like
Laser-Assisted Seed Selection, we are able to breed higher
yielding products much faster than ever before."
Improving Genetic Understanding
The development of molecular breeding techniques allowed
scientists to evaluate plants based on their genes as well as
phenotypic characteristics, but genetic samples had to be
captured from green plant tissue in the field. Scientists
recently discovered they could gather genetic samples from seeds
prior to planting, but the methods of collection with a blade or
clipper were rudimentary. Laser-Assisted Seed Selection perfects
the technique because it eliminates contamination, ensures seed
viability and has much higher throughput than other kernel
chipping or clipping methods. Laser-Assisted Seed Selection
equipment is also compact and mobile, allowing Pioneer to deploy
the technology at research stations around the world.
"It's difficult to compare the two methods because it's like
comparing a Model T car to a Lear Jet," Niebur said. "They can
both get you to where you are going; one just does it more
quickly and efficiently."
Pioneer Hi-Bred, a DuPont business, is the world's leading
source of customized solutions for farmers, livestock producers
and grain and oilseed processors. With headquarters in Des
Moines, Iowa, Pioneer provides access to advanced plant genetics
in nearly 70 countries.
DuPont is a science-based products and services company. Founded
in 1802, DuPont puts science to work by creating sustainable
solutions essential to a better, safer, healthier life for
people everywhere. Operating in more than 70 countries, DuPont
offers a wide range of innovative products and services for
markets including agriculture and food; building and
construction; communications; and transportation. |
|