Des Moines, Iowa
March 31, 2008
Pioneer disease-resistant lines
advance to market
DuPont, through its
Pioneer Hi-Bred business,
today announced that it is making publicly available genomic
sequences of a major fungal pathogen of corn plants to enable
scientists worldwide to more quickly complete the sequence of
this pathogen and to accelerate disease-resistance studies.
Pioneer is donating the sequences to
GenBank®, the
publicly available genetic sequence database of the National
Institutes of Health (NIH).
Colletotrichum graminicola is a fungal pathogen that causes
Anthracnose Leaf Blight and Stalk Rot, which lead to corn yield
losses worldwide due to premature death and weakened stalk
strength. Pioneer has commercialized
Anthracnose-resistant corn hybrids in Latin America and is
planning to incorporate an Anthracnose-resistant gene into corn
hybrids that will grow in the Northern Hemisphere.
"Defining and donating the gene sequences of C. graminicola will
accelerate the scientific community's study of this important
corn pathogen, creating knowledge that universities and
ultimately companies can use to protect corn yields around the
world," said William S. Niebur, vice president, DuPont Crop
Genetics Research and Development.
The U.S. Department of Agriculture's Cooperative State Research,
Education, and Extension Service (CSREES) is currently
supporting the mapping and sequencing of a different strain of
the fungal pathogen through the Broad
Institute's Fungal Genome Initiative. Pioneer's donation will
accelerate the progress of the CSREES initiative. These research
efforts represent the first time any groups have sequenced
strains of this key pathogen.
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 (NYSE: DD) 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.
GenBank® is a registered trademark of the National Institutes of
Health. |
|
