St. Louis, Missouri
April 5, 2007
A recent conference on the state
of corn genetic research is cause for optimism about the
potential commercial use of the findings, according to the
National Corn Growers Association
(NCGA).
The 49th annual Maize Genetics Conference showed a new level of
cooperation between the geneticists who are mapping the maize
plant genome and the breeders and agronomists who will
ultimately use those findings to breed better corn, said Pam
Johnson, chairman of NCGA’s Research and Business Development
Action Team.
“Many stakeholders will need to collaborate as we move forward,”
Johnson said. “The genome sequence is about half-completed. It
will take innovation, creativity, discovery and the ability to
translate that knowledge to application in the corn plant. We
want an aggressive strategic plan for collaboration and results.
They’re doing wonderful research, and we want to keep the ball
rolling.”
NCGA wants to create a pipeline between basic research, like
mapping the genotype, and product development. The association
supports efforts to promote a phenotypic “library” – that is, a
guide to how each gene’s characteristics are expressed in the
corn plant.
Armed with that information, corn breeders could then make sure
they select the most desirable genes to breed into new
generation hybrids. “The next step will be for the breeders,
agronomists, nutritionists and others to give feedback about
what is needed,” said Johnson. “That might include genes that
help the plant produce more starch, use water or nitrogen more
efficiently and other specific needs for end-users.”
The maize genome mapping project started in 2006 and is
estimated to be complete in 2008. |
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