Inroads Made: Corn Plants and Drought, DuPont

Apr 24, 2014

DuPont Pioneer reports that its scientists have made a breakthrough in developing corn plants that can better tolerate drought stress.

New findings will be revealed in an upcoming edition of the scientific publication, Plant Biotechnology Journal. The study entitled, “Transgenic Alteration of Ethylene Biosynthesis Increases Grain Yield in Maize under Field Drought-Stress Conditions” was penned by lead scientist Jeff Habben.

Company scientists found that higher yielding corn plants performed better under drought conditions when the ethylene stress hormone levels in the plant were reduced through a transgene.

Ethylene is a stress hormone common in most plants. However, its levels depend on a number of factors, including plant type, plant tissue and stress conditions.

We’ve always believed that corn plants are too conservative in their response to drought and readily terminate kernels or only partially fill the ear when drought hits,” explained Habben in a release. “So we are working to help the crop get through critical developmental stages by modulating ethylene levels to maintain improved yield stability.”

The company notes that drought advancements are important, especially as drought is considered the leading factor of crop yield loss. Authors of the study say that not only is the research important to farmers, but also serves a larger purpose - improving the sustainability of land and water resources.

Video: Winter Canola Trial in Mississippi | Can It Work for Double Cropping? | Pioneer Agronomy

Can winter canola open new opportunities for growers in the Mid-South? In this agronomy update from Noxubee County, Mississippi, Pioneer agronomist Gus Eifling shares an early look at a first-year winter canola trial and what farmers are learning from the field.

Planted in late October on 30-inch rows, the crop is now entering the bloom stage and progressing quickly. In this video, we walk through current field conditions, fertility management, and how timing could make this crop a valuable option for double-cropping soybeans or cotton.

If harvest timing lines up with early May, growers may be able to transition directly into another crop during ideal planting windows. Ongoing field trials will help determine whether canola could become a viable rotational option for the region.

Watch for:

How winter canola is performing in its first season in this Mississippi field

Why growers chose 30-inch rows for this trial

What the crop looks like as it moves from bolting into bloom

Fertility strategy, including nitrogen and sulfur applications

How canola harvest timing could enable double-cropping with soybeans or cotton

Upcoming trials comparing soybeans after canola vs. traditional planting

As more growers look for ways to maximize acres and diversify rotations, experiments like this help determine what new crops might fit into existing systems.