Des Moines, Iowa
March 22, 2002

Company's hybrid debuts offer growers higher yields, more choices and a look at what's to come.

Researchers at Pioneer Hi-Bred International, Inc., have added hybrids to the company's canola product line for the 2002 growing season. Hybrid canola brings an improved level of performance, helping producers increase their yield potential and capture higher net margins per acre.

The Pioneer® hybrid canola introductions include one herbicide-resistant hybrid and one conventional hybrid.

"Ultimately, growers are looking for top-quality products with solid base genetics and outstanding yields that will make a difference on their bottom line," says Dave Charne, Pioneer canola research director. "Hybrid canola offers higher yield potential compared to many open-pollinated varieties. In addition, it demonstrates improved early vigor. Plants that emerge faster establish closed canopies more quickly. The closed canopies block sunlight, reducing some early weed competition, which brings us back to higher yields."

Charne says that in large plot trials in the United States and Canada, the new hybrids show an 8- to 11-percent yield advantage or a 3- to 4-bushel-per-acre advantage over top-yielding, open-pollinated varieties.

"One of our first hybrids, Pioneer hybrid 45H21, offers the Roundup Ready(1) gene so growers can better meet their weed control challenges," Charne says.

According to Charne, herbicide resistance is becoming an increasingly popular attribute when growers select canola seed. More than half of the U.S. market is planted to canola with the Roundup Ready gene, allowing growers to combat tough weed problems using Roundup(1) branded herbicides.

The medium-maturity hybrid, 45H21, also offers excellent yield potential, outstanding oil content and very good standability, an agronomic trait that's key to canola producers. Blackleg resistance and low green seed content complete the package. This hybrid with the Roundup Ready(1) gene carries all necessary approvals in Canada and the United States, as well as Japan and Mexico, the key export
markets for North American canola.

The second hybrid introduction this year, available for plots and yield trials only, is Pioneer hybrid 46H02. The medium-maturity hybrid brings with it high yield potential, outstanding oil and protein content, blackleg resistance and very good standability. Low green seed content is another key trait.

Pioneer has additional conventional and herbicide-resistant hybrids planned, as the company's extensive breeding program gives growers access to leading genetics that will help them maximize returns on their farms.

"At Pioneer, we continue to set new standards for canola growers," Charne says. "We're building a solid pipeline of future canola products, to bring farmers improvements in yields and traits, but in hybrid packages."

For more information about Pioneer canola, growers should contact their local Pioneer sales professional.

Pioneer Hi-Bred International, Inc., a subsidiary of DuPont, 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, crop protection solutions and quality crop systems to customers in nearly 70 countries. During 2002, DuPont is celebrating its 200th year of scientific achievement and innovation - providing products and services that improve the lives of people everywhere. Based in Wilmington, Del., DuPont delivers science-based solutions for markets that make a difference in people's lives in food and nutrition, health care, apparel, home and construction, electronics and transportation.

(1) Registered trademark of Monsanto Company.
For additional information about our company or our products, check the Pioneer worldwide website: http://www.pioneer.com.