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DuPont unveils innovative mobile wind machines to help improve corn yield

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Des Moines, Iowa
February 19, 2009

Building stronger roots, stalks for higher yields

DuPont today unveiled the latest innovation to increase agricultural productivity - mobile wind machines that test the ability of higher-yielding experimental corn hybrids to withstand violent windstorms that cause significant standability issues and subsequent yield loss.

Nicknamed Boreas - a name inspired by the Greek god of the cold north wind - this new innovation challenges DuPont business Pioneer Hi-Bred corn research trials to help scientists improve the standability of Pioneer corn hybrids by producing turbulent winds exceeding 100 miles per hour. These 20-ton mobile wind machines are the newest tool in the company's Accelerated Yield Technology (AYT™) system toolbox and a critical component of the Pioneer commitment to increase corn yields 40 percent within the next nine years.

"Pioneer researchers can't always rely on Mother Nature to deliver the severe weather they need at the exact location of our research trials to test for the stresses our customers face," said Geoff Graham, Pioneer senior research director. "We created machines to bring the 'storm of the decade' to our research fields across the country each season to identify hybrids with the best standability in the most difficult growing conditions."

Standability is one of the biggest challenges farmers face as more seeds are planted to each acre. Approximately 20 percent to 30 percent of the corn acres in North America can be impacted by root lodging, stalk lodging or brittle snap each year. Root lodging occurs when environmental forces exceed the ability of the root system to support the plant, causing the entire cornstalk to lean or fall. Stalk lodging is the breakage of cornstalks below the ear. Brittle snap refers to breakage of cornstalks by violent winds, usually during periods of fast growth.

Pioneer plant breeders are constantly challenged to develop higher-yielding plants with a stalk and root structure that can withstand violent storms when planted at higher populations. Pioneer is utilizing Boreas to improve corn standability as it pushes corn yields and plant populations even higher.

Prior to Boreas, researchers depended on natural storm events and mechanical "push" tests, which used a bar or other instrument to physically push the corn to simulate damage due to high winds. Boreas represents a revolutionary transformation in how Pioneer plant researchers approach field research studies for standability traits by imitating the variety and intensity of winds that occur during violent storms.

"We are going to extraordinary measures to help our customers achieve industry-leading yields in the face of unpredictable and extreme growing conditions, including severe thunderstorms," said Graham. "This is one of the ways we will more than double the annual rate of corn yield gain between now and 2018."

Pioneer scientists began using Boreas five years ago, but have kept the technology under wraps until patents were filed. Today, Pioneer scientists are using multiple trait-specific, high-throughput machines to screen for root lodging, stalk lodging and brittle snap. Testing is conducted across multiple environments and developmental stages throughout North America and compared with natural weather events to ensure the viability and predictability of the data.

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.

The DuPont Oval Logo, DuPontTM, The miracles of scienceTM, Pioneer® and Accelerated Yield TechnologyTM are registered trademarks or trademarks of DuPont or its affiliates.

 

 


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on Boreas,
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