Managed environment, multiple technologies accelerate research process

Each year, drought is one of the most significant issues affecting agricultural productivity worldwide, and it's estimated that in any given year, one-third of U.S. corn acres will probably experience yield-reducing drought stress. These odds, combined with expanding corn acres into more arid climates and costly water resources, make the need for corn plants that can withstand drought conditions critical. That's why Pioneer Hi-Bred International, Inc., is focused on developing hybrids that use water sources more efficiently, helping growers maintain yields during periods of water stress.

"Pioneer has made a significant commitment to address the need for drought-tolerant plants, and we are making breakthroughs in this challenging area," says Marc Albertsen, director of agronomic traits and lead evaluation for Pioneer. "At the same time, we're not willing to settle for drought-tolerant hybrids that cost yield at the high end. We want growers to benefit overall by having hybrids that can reduce yield loss during temporary water stress yet maintain maximum yield potential under optimal conditions."

The company is taking multiple approaches that include conventional breeding, molecular breeding and transgenic programs that might move novel genes into corn. Pioneer also uses a variety of tools, including gene shuffling which optimizes desired traits by multiplying the effectiveness of beneficial genes. This proprietary technology is helping to identify and develop next-generation traits to help plants survive and perform better against agronomic and environmental stresses, including numerous diseases, plant pests and drought.
Protecting plants against insect damage also improves a plant's water utilization, while herbicide-resistance technology allows growers better weed control, channeling more water to plants.

Expansion of drought research initiatives at the 200-acre Pioneer research center located in Woodland, Calif., has helped scientists speed up the process and more quickly identify potential solutions that will further improve drought tolerance. Another Pioneer research station, in a similarly arid region south of Santiago, Chile, allows drought research to continue year round.

"Pioneer has been working on drought tolerance for more than half a century," Albertsen says. "improved field evaluation techniques have improved our ability to measure the effect of drought genes in elite Pioneer hybrids. We can gain years of progress with one year of research at a managed environment site."

Unpredictable environmental conditions across the Corn Belt make drought tolerance one of the most difficult traits to evaluate in the field. The key to both facilities is that they are located in areas with significant sunlight, heat and lack of rainfall, as well as productive soil. Pioneer uses drip irrigation, allowing the company to deliver consistent data. These factors allow researchers to control the type of stress they impose in terms of severity, timing, etc. It also allows researchers to replicate conditions to assure growers of products with consistent results.
The goal of testing is to introduce solutions that will further improve drought tolerance, helping farmers reduce yield loss during temporary water stress and maintain maximum yield potential under optimal conditions. There also may be benefits from reduced irrigation costs.

Average annual drought loss is estimated to be about $8 billion globally. With such an effect on growers, Pioneer has a long-term research and development focus on impacting drought tolerance in corn. The company currently is evaluating many genes at various levels of field testing.

While the enhanced transgenic trait could be available for commercialization after 2012 pending successful performance testing, Pioneer has recently developed several hybrids with exceptional drought tolerance and high-yield potential. New products coming to market soon will share a parent inbred from the 120-day Pioneer® hybrid 33D11. This hybrid has shown it can reduce water intake when needed and still maintain overall plant health and yield potential.

"At Pioneer, our objective is to develop a plant with considerable impact; something that will yield under drought stress and contribute to higher yields," Albertsen says. "Unfortunately, there is no silver bullet approach to achieve this. But we're using a broad range of techniques and we're making progress, year by year, and product by product. We're optimistic about our drought-tolerant corn research and what it will ultimately bring to our customers."

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. 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.

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