Using Genomics in PLant Genetics Research is one of the publications available on Pioneer's website Source: Pioneer Hi-Bred International

DuPont business Pioneer Hi-Bred International is hosting a three-day project review focused on enhancing drought tolerance in plants.

The symposium, running from the 4-7 February 2008 in Johnston, Iowa, aims to share research information among both private and public organisations in a bid to help increase farm productivity, alleviate poverty and improve conditions in drought-prone areas of the world.

“As climatic conditions continue to change, it is critical that private and public sectors work together to develop crops that will allow farmers to maximise productivity,” notes William S Niebur, vice-president of DuPont crop genetics, research and development.

Pioneer is working closely with a number of research organisations, including CIMMYT, the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation, IRRI, the Global Crop Diversity Trust and the Harvest Plus Challenge Program.

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Pioneer is also working with The Generation Challenge Programme (GCP), which focuses on developing tools and technologies to help farmers in Third World countries produce better crops, and Africa Harvest to improve the nutritional quality of sorghum, a staple food for many Africans.

Pioneer has developed drought-tolerant corn hybrids through both conventional and molecular breeding, as well as biotechnology. It is also working to introduce its first transgenic drought-tolerant maize hybrids in the first half of the next decade, and is currently marketing a number of maize hybrids with enhanced drought tolerance.
By Rebecca Debens

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