Ames, Iowa
July 31, 2003

Plant breeding scientists from around the world will gather to discuss plant breeding and to honor one of the foremost experts in the field at the Arnel R. Hallauer International Symposium on Plant Breeding Aug. 17-22 in Mexico City, Mexico.

The International Maize and Wheat Improvement Center (CIMMYT) and Iowa State University are hosting the symposium.

Hallauer is a retired Charles F. Curtiss Distinguished Professor in Agriculture at Iowa State University, a member of the National Academy of Science and a member of the USDA Agricultural Research Service Hall of Fame. He has influenced plant breeders around the world through his teachings, publications and breeding accomplishments.

Hallauer's book, Quantitative Genetics in Maize Breeding, is considered a standard textbook for corn breeders. Maize inbred lines derived from his research produce an estimated $1 billion per year for the American farmer and are used in all major temperate maize areas, including those in Europe and China.

In addition to oral presentations by invited speakers, there will be plenary sessions for volunteered posters and seminars on stress breeding and participatory breeding. A special ceremony will honor Hallauer, who is retiring after 42 years of professional service.

Catherine Woteki, dean of the ISU College of Agriculture, will be chairing a session at the symposium. Others from Iowa State participating in the conference are Don Duvick, retired affiliate professor of agronomy; Kendall Lamkey, agronomy professor; Michael Lee, agronomy professor; and Charlie Brummer, agronomy associate professor. Nine plant breeding graduate students also will be attending the conference and presenting posters. Norman Borlaug, Iowa native and Nobel laureate, will give the keynote address on the role of plant breeding in feeding the world and enhancing natural resources.

More information is available on the Web at http://www.cimmyt.org/Research/Maize/symposium/symposium_arnel.htm