Wilmington, Delaware
February 6, 2008
DuPont (NYSE: DD) and
Kansas State
University Research Foundation have signed an agreement
giving DuPont exclusive commercialization rights to two new
herbicide-tolerant traits in sorghum.
The new traits, developed by Kansas State University
researchers, include an ALS-herbicide- tolerant trait and an
ACCase-herbicide tolerant trait. Both traits will provide
growers with new, more flexible postemergence herbicide
options for grass control in sorghum with no restrictions on
export marketing.
Growers will benefit from new herbicide solutions developed with
the unique blends technology from DuPont Crop Protection for use
on sorghum with the new ALS-tolerant trait. Seed companies will
have the opportunity to sub-
license the both traits from DuPont.
"Our partnership with Kansas State will allow us to deliver
solutions for grass and broadleaf weed control in sorghum that
have never before been available," said James C. Collins, vice
president and general manager - DuPont Crop Protection. "We are
pleased to work with Kansas State researchers as we continue to
deliver products that increase grower productivity."
"One of the greatest challenges sorghum growers have faced over
the years is control of weeds in the crop," said Forrest
Chumley, Kansas State research and extension associate director
for research. "To solve the problem, we
needed to work with a company, such as DuPont, that has optimal
herbicide chemistry, access to good crop genetics, and the
willingness to make the innovation available broadly. This is a
huge step for sorghum production."
Growers currently rely on preemergence grass herbicides that
require rainfall for activation. These treatments can be
inconsistent, especially in the High Plains where annual
rainfall frequently is limited. The new ALS-tolerant and
ACCase-tolerant traits will provide sorghum growers with
postemergence grass and broadleaf weed control options needed
for more versatile application timing. The new traits, developed
using conventional methods, will also allow growers greater
rotational flexibility to sorghum from other crops.
The traits were developed by Kansas State agronomy researchers
including Kassim Al-Khatib and his former colleague Mitch
Tuinstra (currently at Purdue University).
Chumley said the effort was made possible by strong support from
the Kansas Grain Sorghum Commission and National Grain Sorghum
Producers. This is the kind of progress that can be accomplished
when producers and researchers work together, he said.
The United States is the world's largest producer of grain
sorghum at about 300 million bushels per year. Kansas has long
been the leading state in grain sorghum production, accounting
for nearly half of the annual U.S. crop.
The mission of the Kansas State University Research Foundation
is to promote, encourage and aid scientific investigation,
research and technology transfer at Kansas State University to
return the greatest advantage to the creators, K-State and the
general public. Kansas has long been the leading state in grain
sorghum production, accounting for nearly half of the U.S. crop.
In 2006, grain sorghum sales pumped $487 million into the Kansas
economy. The Kansas Agricultural Statistics Service indicated
that Kansas growers produced about 212 million bushels of grain
sorghum in 2007.
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.
K State Research and Extension
is a short name for the Kansas State University Agricultural
Experiment Station and Cooperative Extension Service, a program
designed to generate and distribute useful knowledge for the
well being of Kansans. Supported by county, state, federal and
private funds, the program has county Extension offices,
experiment fields, area Extension offices and regional research
centers statewide. Its headquarters is on the K State campus in
Manhattan.
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