Chatham, Ontario, Canada
November 6, 2008
Pioneer Hi-Bred, a
DuPont business, is poised to provide canola growers in
clubroot-affected areas with a new solution to this devastating
problem. The company, with assistance from industry experts and
independent researchers, is racing to bring a new canola hybrid
to market next year that provides genetic resistance to the
disease.
“This breakthrough will have tremendous benefits to canola
growers in areas of Alberta where the disease has become a
significant issue, therefore it is critical that we get this
hybrid to market as soon as possible,” comments Ian Grant,
president and business director of Pioneer Hi-Bred Limited in
Canada. “We are working hard to get seed into the hands of
growers for seeding next spring,” he adds.
The new canola hybrid demonstrated similar yield potential to
leading commercially-available hybrids, contains the Roundup
Ready® trait as well as strong agronomic characteristics. Once
registered, it will be the first and only one of its kind on the
market. Pioneer Hi-Bred researchers developed this hybrid by
transferring non-genetically modified clubroot-resistance into
elite Pioneer genetics.
In 2008, several candidate hybrids were field-tested in the
Edmonton area in locations where the clubroot strains were known
to be present. “By testing hybrids under heavy disease pressure,
we get an accurate indication of the true resistance,” comments
Dave Charne, Pioneer Hi-Bred research director. One of the test
hybrids showed a high level of resistance to the clubroot
strains in those fields.
“When the trials were evaluated, the new hybrid was shoulder
height and the roots were healthy,” confirms Charne. Another
Pioneer hybrid without the resistance genes was used as a check.
“That hybrid was only knee high and the roots were mushy,” he
says.
With these strong performance results and realizing the urgent
need of having a genetic solution to this disease in the market
place, Pioneer Hi-Bred will seek early registration of this
hybrid in 2009.
“We know how important having access to a resistant product is
for canola growers in clubroot-affected areas. We are currently
using winter production in South America to increase the amount
of hybrid seed that can be available to growers for planting in
2009,” Charne adds.
“This genetic clubroot solution clearly demonstrates the depth
and scope of Pioneer Hi-Bred’s research and production
capabilities. Our commitment to canola growers is to produce as
much seed as possible for this spring with a full-scale
commercial launch in 2010,” Grant concludes.
As a premier seed supplier, Pioneer Hi-Bred is committed to
providing value to the Canadian farmer through high quality
products, exceptional science and unparalleled service. In
Western Canada, the company is committed to building market
share. In the last year, the company has more than doubled its
field staff in the west and has opened a state-of-the-art $12
million canola seed production plant in Lethbridge, Alberta.
Established in 1946, Pioneer Hi-Bred Limited is Canada's
premier seed company and a wholly owned subsidiary of Pioneer
Hi-Bred, a DuPont business. Pioneer Hi-Bred 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 in nearly 70 countries.
®, TM, SM Trademarks and service marks licensed to Pioneer
Hi-Bred Limited.
® Roundup Ready is a registered trademark used under license
from Monsanto Company. |
|
