A farmer checking his crop. Syngenta's donation to the Maize Functional Diversity group will provide a "premier model for understanding complex trait variations", says USDA-ARS scientist Ed Buckler Photo: Syngenta

Syngenta has donated approximately 7,500 maize genetic stocks from its Allelic Diversity platform to the Maize Functional Diversity group, a syndicate of exceptional researchers from centres and universities worldwide.  The donation will provide access to snippets of original DNA structures and marker data associated with the lines under research to the group, who will then employ their expertise in genetically improving the delivery of maize traits. 

Yes, give me a free trial in print and online in PDF and online Name: Surname: Job Title: Company: Address: City: Country: Post/Zip Code: Tel: Email:   Privacy Policy

The donation will bring two fold benefits: “unparalleled opportunities to use natural variation to improve agriculture” and the use of maize will provide a “premier model for understanding complex trait variations,” insists USDA-ARS Scientist with Cornell University Ed Buckler.  Previous research has enabled incremental growth in maize yields, resulting in it becoming the largest crop in the US with output of approximately 600 million tons, claims Syngenta.   But it is the ability to “leverage allelic diversity” that holds the key to improved harvest in the future, says Syngenta’s head of maize and soybean product development Ray Riley.    

However, Syngenta has attached certain conditions to the donation for the “enablement and encouragement of unencumbered reporting of scientific findings” related to the use of the material.   No research group will be able to obtain intellectual property rights on the material or the knowledge gained from its use. Syngenta will collaborate with the Generation Challenge Programme of the Consultative Group on International Agricultural Research to disseminate the material to researchers worldwide.
By Amnah Ali

> Not a subscriber? Subscribe

RELATED NEWS

Syngenta/Merck abamectin deal
Syngenta shows US fungicides
Syngenta developing water-efficient maize
More Biotech news