DuPont Pioneer Taps New Scientific Disciplines to Improve Yield Potential
Adds expertise in novel fields to help improve performance in customer fields
From DuPont Pioneer News
As part of its ongoing commitment to provide corn hybrids that offer greater yield potential for growers, DuPont Pioneer is tapping into new technologies and areas of scientific expertise. The company is seeking bright minds with diverse capabilities to help improve the genetic potential of hybrids sold to customers.
Corn breeding is changing as growers' needs change. Breeders now can rely on a team of experts in diverse technical fields to help develop hybrids. "While we still need plant breeders and their role is very important," says Steven King, DuPont Pioneer research director. "They can count on help from other experts in an array of fields that will help efficiently enable larger genetic gains for growers."
King cites four steps breeders require to develop improved hybrids.
Technology. Tools such as molecular markers help locate genes that improve yield or other traits. Experts also apply doubled haploid technology to incorporate those traits into genetic lines more quickly and confidently. Seed production. Once they identify the genetic puzzle pieces, seed production experts develop inbreds that breeders use to produce commercially viable hybrids. Testing. Breeders then deploy their considerable experience to test new hybrids. They design the plots and collect data that help determine which hybrids work in specific growing environments and which don't make the grade. Data analysis. Pioneer employs a corps of data-management experts who analyze the data, sifting valuable information from the irrelevant "noise." Pioneer is applying increasingly advanced modeling programs to understand how genes convey traits to experimental lines. This helps Pioneer breeders better understand which genetic combinations are likely to produce improved hybrids.
"We improve our breeding methodology when we add mathematicians, modelers and statisticians," King says. "Technologies and tools continue to change and improve. These experts help us improve efficiency, test more genetic lines, and grow even more confident in the results."
Pioneer specialists can comb through masses of genetic information with advanced computing and modeling programs. "We continue to refine the models," King says. "We combine the right data with the correct modeling programs to develop improved predictions."
Pioneer conducts experiments across the globe to learn more about how corn hybrids perform in different growing environments. As they develop better products and understand where those new hybrids perform best, breeders are better positioned to support the Pioneer sales professionals who help customers place the right product on the right acre.
"We're also looking at phenotypes or physical data in a new way," King says. "We're boosting the capacity to evaluate plants so we can realize more value from molecular markers and incorporate genes that impact traits of interest."
Working with technical teams, breeders play a critical role in integrating this valuable array of information. They distill it all into improved hybrids growers need to produce food for the world.
To support corn breeders, Pioneer continues to employ the brightest minds in various science- and technology-related fields. "We employ people with expertise in the technologies we need now but also in the future," King says. "Pioneer is ensuring we can continue to offer growers better products each year, decade after decade thus our investment in the future."
Pioneer also supports universities that are launching the next generation of plant breeders, molecular scientists, data-management gurus and other technical experts. "We provide opportunities for people who want to make a difference and help feed a growing world population," King says. "While growers are the heart of food production, they need our help to keep moving the needle. The technical expertise we're adding helps us meet growers' needs."
DuPont Pioneer is the world's leading developer and supplier of advanced plant genetics, providing high-quality seeds to farmers in more than 90 countries. Pioneer provides agronomic support and services to help increase farmer productivity and profitability and strives to develop sustainable agricultural systems for people everywhere. Science with Service Delivering Success?.
DuPont (NYSE: DD) has been bringing world-class science and engineering to the global marketplace in the form of innovative products, materials, and services since 1802. The company believes that by collaborating with customers, governments, NGOs, and thought leaders, we can help find solutions to such global challenges as providing enough healthy food for people everywhere, decreasing dependence on fossil fuels, and protecting life and the environment.
