Articles tagged with Maize
A new study finds that transgenic corn's suppression of the European corn borer has saved $3.2 billion for corn growers in Illinois, Minnesota, and Wisconsin over the past 14 years. Non-Bt corn growers also benefited from yield savings without the cost of Bt technology fees.
A new Iowa State University study found that corn bred to contain increased levels of beta-carotene is a good source of vitamin A. The discovery validates the promise of biofortified corn being developed as an effective tool to combat vitamin A deficiency in developing countries.
Scientists at Max Planck Institute have identified a gene controlling the difference in sex pheromone production between two European Corn Borer races, E and Z. The study found that this genetic variation leads to reproductive isolation, potentially marking the beginning of new species evolution.
Researchers have successfully improved nematodes to control the western corn rootworm, a major pest causing $1 billion of damage annually in the US. The nematodes were enhanced to respond more effectively to a volatile signal emitted by infested roots.
A three-year study found that cover crops significantly reduced erosion and runoff in maize cropping systems, with a residual effect lasting up to two years. The research suggests that burying sufficient cover crop biomass into the soil can reduce erosion rates by 40-90% lower than rough tillage.
Researchers found that only about 30% of the genes in the corn smut genome are always activated, while the other 70% is tissue-specific, with different parts of the maize plant activating different genes. This discovery could lead to new approaches to fighting disease in plants and humans.
Scientists have made a significant discovery in corn breeding that could lead to higher crop yields, improved disease resistance and heartier plants able to withstand severe weather. By understanding the genetics of photoperiod response, researchers hope to be able to overcome the barrier to using tropical maize for temperate varieties.
Researchers found that increased production of maize-derived ethanol in the US could lead to significant land-use changes, resulting in higher carbon dioxide emissions. The study suggests that these indirect effects may cancel out any benefits from reducing global warming.
Archaeological evidence supports the idea that maize was adopted by Southwestern hunter-gatherers through group-to-group transmission. The researchers' scenario proposes an early (7,000 B.C.) north-to-south movement of Proto-Uto-Aztecan hunter-gatherers, followed by division into northern and southern Uto-Aztecan-speaking groups.
The PLoS Genetics special collection presents groundbreaking research on maize genome architecture, revealing new insights into centromeres, transposons, microRNAs, and more. The studies also explore the role of copy number variation and presence/absence variation in shaping maize phenotypes.
Researchers from UA and collaborating institutions deciphered the complete genetic code of maize, providing a comprehensive foundation to systematically study maize biology. The achievement aims to breed higher yielding, disease-resistant, and drought-tolerant cultivars.
A team co-led by CSHL scientists published a reference genome of maize, revealing its complex DNA sequence and 'wonderful diversity'. The 2.3 billion base-pair sequence contains over 32,500 genes and provides a detailed reference manual for annotating the genome.
Researchers have identified and grouped the genes responsible for cell wall development in maize, enabling better study of biomass production. The discovery expands their ability to discover ways to produce biomass suitable for biofuels production.
A new gene map has been developed to aid plant breeding efforts in maize, a major source of food and fuel worldwide. The map charts genetic diversity and recombination across the genome of 27 inbred lines, providing insights into complex traits.
Researchers have identified thousands of diverse genes in genetically inaccessible portions of the maize genome using new techniques. This study provides a foundation for uniting breeding efforts across the world and dissecting complex traits through genomewide association studies.
The completed maize genome sequence reveals a complex genome with nearly as many genes as humans but substantially more complexity, containing about 85% repetitive sequences. This provides clues to genetic variability and gene function, enabling researchers to develop diverse maize hybrids that can adapt to environments.
A new study projects variable impacts of climate change on maize and bean harvests in East Africa, presenting both threats and opportunities for farmers. With adequate investment, the region can achieve food security despite predicted declines in staple crop production.
A three-and-a-half-decade analysis of maize research in African farming communities reveals significant benefits, including the adoption of new maize varieties that increase productivity and reduce poverty. The study found that over 1 million people per year have escaped poverty through the adoption of modern maize varieties.
A German study has found that wild pigs and deer do not spread genetically modified (GM) corn through their feces or accumulate transgenic residues in their meat. The researchers fed GM-fed wild boars and fallow deer conventional maize, but found no evidence of germinable seeds in their feces.
Dr. Marina Dermastia and colleagues discovered similarities between maize and teosinte kernel development, overturning previous assumptions about domestication. The team found traits like programmed cell death, sugar flow control, and endoreduplication that are common to both crops, suggesting they evolved independently.
The Faidherbia acacia tree has the potential to revolutionize African farming by providing a free source of organic nitrogen, increasing crop yields, and improving soil health. Its unique growth habit and adaptability to various climates make it an ideal solution for reversing soil degradation and supporting farmers' livelihoods.
Researchers found that numerous small changes in multiple gene regions impact flowering time, reproductive ability, and other complex traits in corn. The study also identified subtle genetic variations influencing reproductive success, paving the way for more accurate predictions and breeding strategies.
Researchers restored a maize root signal that attracts insect-killing nematodes to control the Western corn rootworm, a significant pest in the US. This approach enhances plant resistance and reduces the use of synthetic insecticides.
Researchers warn that African farmers lack access to climatically suitable crop varieties due to neglect of genebanks, threatening food security. Six countries face unique challenges as temperatures rise beyond historical experience, highlighting the need for immediate action to develop new crop varieties.
Researchers discovered the earliest dated evidence of domesticated maize, dating back over 8,700 years to Mexico's Central Balsas River Valley. The team found maize starch and phytoliths in grinding tools and lake sediments, confirming that maize was derived from teosinte.
A team of scientists led by Dolores Piperno has discovered the earliest evidence of maize domestication in the New World, dating back to 8,700 years ago. The research confirms that maize originated from a wild plant called teosinte and was first domesticated in tropical southwest Mexico.
Researchers found evidence of maize and squash domestication in the Xihuatoxtla Shelter in southwestern Mexico, dating back 9,000 years. The findings contradict previous assumptions that maize domestication occurred in highland areas.
A graphical analysis assesses the vulnerability of different US crops to pests, identifying soybean and maize as highly connected, while cotton and wheat are less connected. The study suggests encouraging cropping patterns that disrupt connectivity to minimize pest spread.
A team of plant geneticists has identified a gene called sparse inflorescence1 (spi1) essential in controlling the development of the maize plant's growth hormone auxin synthesis. This discovery sheds light on the complex process of organ formation and development in maize.
Researchers have identified how maize streak virus (MSV) became a serious pest in Africa's most important food crop, potentially saving millions of lives. By comparing MSV genomes to its less harmful relatives, scientists discovered that recombination led to the emergence of a more severe disease strain.
The study reveals social confrontation between GMO proponents and opponents, with difficulties in defining technical measures for coexistence. Organic farmers face uncertainties in measuring contamination levels and potential damages, leading to reduced cultivation areas.
Paramutations, a process where one copy of a gene can alter the expression of another, have been found in plants and may be important for introducing changes under environmental stress. Researchers studying paramutations in maize identified genes and mechanisms involved in this epigenetic process.
The study reveals that three RAMOSA genes (RA1-3) control maize inflorescence branching, leading to changes in grain yield. The genes regulate the architecture of maize ears through a complex network, influencing plant development and adaptation.
A team of scientists has used paleobotanical evidence, genetic analysis, and microbotanical techniques to reconstruct the early history of maize agriculture. They suggest that maize may have been domesticated in Mexico around 10,000 years ago, based on findings from sediments at San Andrés, Tabasco.
Scientists have unraveled plant architecture at the molecular level using genomic data, shedding light on flower and grain development in maize. They characterized key gene networks and biochemical pathways, providing insights into plant construction and evolutionary conservation.
Scientists are sequencing ancient maize landraces to recapture the full genetic diversity of this complex crop. The Palomero genome is about 22% smaller than B73, revealing a large pool of unexplored genetic diversity.
Tejate, a traditional Maize and Cacao Beverage from Oaxaca, Mexico, holds the key to understanding the future of agriculture and food variety. The authors found that tejate is in decline in modern communities but remains associated with traditional farmers' varieties, which are essential for preserving crop diversity.
Researchers have discovered evidence of maize consumption in tropical Ecuador dating back over 5,000 years. The findings suggest that corn was a vital food crop for villages in the region, contradicting previous theories that it was only used for ritual purposes.
A team of scientists has developed an economical approach to breeding maize with higher provitamin A levels, which can combat vitamin A deficiency. By identifying a naturally mutated enzyme, they can now inexpensively screen different varieties and breed those that contain it.
A $13 million AGRA grant establishes agro-dealer networks in Kenya, Malawi, and Tanzania to provide rural farmers with affordable farm supplies, training, and financing. This initiative aims to increase smallholder incomes by 30%, reduce travel distances, and decrease input prices.
Researchers create artificial plant chromosomes from small rings of naturally occurring plant DNA, allowing for the introduction of multiple genes at once. The technology enables more consistent and controlled expression, potentially increasing agricultural productivity and improving biofuel production.
Researchers at the University of Illinois have discovered that tropical maize can produce up to 25% sugar in its stalks, making it a promising alternative to corn for biofuel production. This could result in significant energy savings per acre and reduced nitrogen fertilizer costs.
Researchers developed a new maize model that simulates kernel formation, increasing accuracy of crop yield predictions. By accounting for pollen movement and other factors, the modified CERES-Maize model provides more accurate estimates across various environmental conditions.
A study by Cristina Faria and colleagues found that transgenic Bt maize lines are more susceptible to the aphid Rhopalosiphum maidis than conventional maize. However, this increased susceptibility may be beneficial in regions where aphids are a major problem, as they can aid in controlling caterpillars.
A genetically modified maize variety resistant to the severe maize streak virus has been created using pathogen-derived resistance, delaying symptom development and increasing survival rates. The research aims to alleviate Africa's food shortages and famine by providing a disease-resistant crop for local farmers.
A fast and inexpensive test kit has been developed to detect aflatoxin in crops, enabling African farmers to manage the costly naturally occurring poison. The test has improved food safety and increased agricultural exports, particularly for groundnuts.
Nina V. Fedoroff, a renowned researcher in life sciences and biotechnology, is among eight scientists named to receive the 2006 National Medal of Science. Her work focuses on understanding gene regulation by small RNA molecules and developing mechanisms for plants to withstand environmental stressors.
Scientists at the University of Cape Town have developed a genetically engineered (GE) maize variety that is resistant to maize streak virus (MSV), a destructive pathogen that can wipe out entire maize crops. The transgenic maize variety has proven consistently resistant and can be reliably passed on to future generations.
New evidence from Mexico's Central Balsas valley links crop domestication in the New World to local environmental history. Agriculture originated during a warm, wet period following the last ice age, and its effects on the environment are still evident today.
Researchers have discovered a way to create engineered minichromosomes in maize and attach genes to those minichromosomes. This breakthrough opens up new avenues for developing crops with multiple resistance traits, as well as producing medically useful proteins and metabolites.
Ancient farmers in Mexico cultivated early forms of maize around 5,300 B.C., 1,200 years earlier than previously thought. This finding expands knowledge on the transition to agriculture in Mesoamerica and sheds light on the rise of complex societies.
Ancient people in Panama processed domesticated plants like maize, manioc, and arrowroot at least 7,800 years ago, revealing an earlier practice of farming than previously thought. This discovery confirms the importance of starch grain analysis as a method for studying human subsistence practices in tropical forests.
Researchers have traced the earliest known evidence for chili pepper domestication to sites in Ecuador dating back 6,100 years. The analysis of starch microfossils reveals that common varieties of chili peppers were widely used in a region extending from the Bahamas to southern Peru.
A new research program will accelerate its work to improve African farmers' livelihoods with enhanced, drought-tolerant maize varieties. The initiative aims to reduce the impact of unpredictable rainfall and recurring drought on maize harvests, giving farmers a 25-30% yield boost.
Research reveals two isoforms of glutamine synthetase determine major yield components in maize: kernel size and number. Nitrogen retranslocation dominates grain filling, improving nitrogen use efficiency and yields with reduced fertilizer inputs.
An international team of researchers has identified genes in Ustilago maydis that help the fungus live at its host plant's expense without killing it. The findings could lead to new ways to combat this fungus, which affects maize and other crops worldwide.
The University of Georgia has been awarded a $4.1 million grant from the National Science Foundation to investigate transposable elements in maize, which are believed to contribute significantly to gene and genome evolution. The project aims to create an annotated database that will aid future research on this crop plant.
Researchers discovered evidence of ancient Amazonian crops, including arrowroot and maize, at the Waynuna site in southern Peru. The findings push back the date of maize cultivation by ~1000 years, revealing a complex exchange network between Amazonian and Andean cultures.
Scientists have identified a key gene, ramosa2, that regulates inflorescence architecture in maize and other grasses. The ra2 gene's expression pattern is conserved across multiple species, suggesting its critical role in shaping the initial steps of inflorescence development.
The project aims to sequence the maize genome to understand more about plant genomes and evolve cereal genomes. Scientists will sequence a maize cultivar called B73, with the goal of identifying new genes responsible for important traits like yield and drought tolerance.