Pioneer Hi-Bred Research Articles

Food/Feed and Environmental Risk Assessment of Insect-resistant and Herbicide-tolerant Genetically Modified Maize 1507 x 59122 for Food and Feed Uses, Import and Processing under Regulation (EC) No 1829/2003 (EFSA/GMO/NL/2005/15)

Food/Feed and Environmental Risk Assessment of Insect-resistant and Herbicide-tolerant Genetically Modified Maize 1507 x 59122 for Food and Feed Uses, Import and Processing under Regulation (EC) No 1829/2003 (EFSA/GMO/NL/2005/15)

Food/Feed and Environmental Risk Assessment of Insect-resistant and Herbicide-tolerant Genetically Modified Maize 1507 x NK603 for Food and Feed Uses, Import and Processing under Regulation (EC) No 1829/2003 (EFSA/GMO/UK/2004/05)

Food/Feed and Environmental Risk Assessment of Insect-resistant and Herbicide-tolerant Genetically Modified Maize 1507 x NK603 for Food and Feed Uses, Import and Processing under Regulation (EC) No 1829/2003 (EFSA/GMO/UK/2004/05)

Monitoring the Evolution of Resistance in Spodoptera frugiperda (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae) to the Cry1F Protein in Argentina.

Maize (Zea mays L.) is one of the most important and widely cultivated crops in Argentina. Fall armyworm (FAW), Spodoptera frugiperda (J.E. Smith), is a common maize pest capable of causing significant yield losses and is most destructive in late-planted maize in subtropical regions, going through five to six generations per growing season. The Bacillus thuringiensis (Bt) trait Herculex I Insect Protection technology by Dow AgroSciences and Pioneer Hi-Bred (HX I, event DAS-Ø15Ø7-1), expressing Cry1F protein, was launched in the 2005-2006 season in Argentina and was widely adopted because of the high level of efficacy against S. frugiperda, as well as other pests such as Diatraea saccharalis (J.C. Fabricius). However, increased late-season plantings, limited adoption of refuge, and properties of S. frugiperda biology (high number of generations and migratory behavior) have led to high S. frugiperda exposure to Cry1F and resistance selection pressure. Field efficacy monitoring has been conducted throughout the main maize production areas in Argentina from 2009 to 2016. Laboratory monitoring has been conducted throughout the same areas from 2010 to 2015. Here, we describe changes in field efficacy of HX I and the results of laboratory-based susceptibility monitoring conducted using purified Cry1F protein. Increases in larval survival and crop damage were evident throughout the 2012-2016 period and spanned the majority of maize production areas in Argentina. Over the same period, random larval collections showed increasing survivorship on diet containing purified Cry1F protein. These field and laboratory studies confirmed that resistance to Cry1F has developed and is now widely distributed in S. frugiperda populations in Argentina.

Adaptability and stability of maize hybrids in unreplicated multienvironment trials

In maize breeding programs conducted by private companies, it is common to perform the product advanced trials (PAT) in several cultivation environments in order to better recommend the new hybrids, as well as to provide opportunities for the farmers to evaluate their products. The aim of this study was to describe the adaptability and stability of maize hybrids from unreplicated PATs using a multivariate approach combined with univariate methods. We considered the grain yield data of twelve maize hybrids evaluated in a PATs network conducted by the company DuPont Pioneer in 80 cultivation environments in the states of Minas Gerais and Goias, in second-crop of 2014. The AMMI analysis was employed and additionally we applied the methods based on bisegmented linear regression, Lin and Binns index (1988) and Annicchiarico index (1992). Significant differences were verified among the tested hybrids. The macro-environmental variation and the effect of hybrid by environment (H x E) interaction were expressive. The application of the AMMI method allowed the study of the H x E interaction based on maize PATs. Hybrids 7 and 8 are recommended for higher quality environments, while hybrids 3, 5 and 12 present wide adaptability. The Lin and Binns (1988) and Annicchiarico (1992) indexes highlight the hybrid 8 as the most promising for associating high productivity and lower risk in the tested cultivation environments.

Pioneer Pannar Merger Impact Assessment

This paper sets out the findings of an ex-post economic assessment of the conditionally approved merger between Pioneer Hi-Bred International (Pioneer) and Pannar Seed Limited (Pannar). We critically assess the economic effects of the transaction in the South African market for hybrid maize seed breeding and the manner in which economic evidence and theory were considered by the competition authorities in evaluating the matter. The merger was prohibited by the Competition Tribunal, but this decision was overturned by the Competition Appeal Court which approved the three-to-two merger subject to behavioural conditions on pricing, among others. The paper assesses important issues regarding the effectiveness of pricing conditions to constrain upward pricing pressure post-merger, closeness of competition in differentiated product markets, the economic analysis of the counterfactual and efficiencies in merger proceedings, and the impact of mergers (in concentrated markets) on the incentives of firms to invest and innovate post-merger. Through analysing publicly available information, as well as information from detailed interviews with market participants, we find, firstly, that the pricing of Pannar-branded cultivars was constrained by the pricing condition imposed by the CAC for the duration of the conditions period. In addition, we find evidence of introduction of new varieties, and improvements in yield performance by Pannar-branded cultivars, but there are indications that this trend predated the merger to some extent, so it is unclear if the merger itself has led to the claimed efficiencies in terms of innovation. We also point out that the incentive to invest and innovate has most likely been dampened for firms in the industry, although our ability to assess this and other issues relating to prices and sales effects further has been limited by the data which is available. We set out recommendations regarding the importance of focusing on innovation competition and more complete economic assessment of efficiencies, and the weighting of anticompetitive effects in merger proceedings.

Silk Development and Kernel Set in Maize as Related to Nitrogen Stress

Nitrogen deficiency limits yield in maize (Zea mays L.) through reduced kernel number. A day‐by‐day investigation of silk emergence and kernel establishment has not been conducted to determine when the reduction occurs. A field study was established near Adair, IL, in 2013 and Sciota, IL, during 2014 to investigate the effect of N deficiency on silk number per ear (SPE) and kernel number per ear (KPE). Three N treatments (0 [0N], 56 [56N], and 201 kg N ha−1 [201N]) and two DuPont Pioneer hybrids (P1395HR and P1498HR) were tested. The 0N treatment reduced specific leaf N by 33%, grain biomass by 35%, and KPE by 21% in 2013 and specific leaf N by 49%, grain biomass by 58%, and KPE by 50% in 2014, compared with 201N. Reduced N status had no effect on spikelet number in 2013 but reduced spikelet number by 7% in 2014. Nitrogen stress had no influence on the rate of silk emergence in 2013 but reduced silk emergence by 142 SPE d−1 in 2014. Compared with 0N, 201N increased the rate of KPE establishment by 67 KPE d−1 in 2014. Over 2 yr and three N rates, >76% of the silks emerged within 1.6 d and 97% of the kernels were established in 1.9 d. Kernel number was reduced under N deficiency by (i) kernel establishment from emerged silks, (ii) emerged silk number, and (iii) spikelet number. Alleviation of N stress by the R1 growth stage would effectively maintain optimum SPE, KPE, and yield potential.

Disruption and development: the evolving CRISPR patent and technology landscape.

Pharmaceutical Patent AnalystVol. 7, No. 4 CommentaryDisruption and development: the evolving CRISPR patent and technology landscapeDaniel LimDaniel Lim*Author for correspondence: Tel.: +44 20 3088 3769; E-mail Address: Daniel.lim@allenovery.com Allen & Overy LLP, One Bishops Square, London E1 6AD, UKSearch for more papers by this authorPublished Online:8 Jun 2018https://doi.org/10.4155/ppa-2018-0010AboutSectionsView ArticleView Full TextPDF/EPUB ToolsAdd to favoritesDownload CitationsTrack CitationsPermissionsReprints ShareShare onFacebookTwitterLinkedInReddit View articleKeywords: Broad InstituteCas9CRISPREPOEuropegene editinggene therapylicensingpatentspriorityrevocationReferences1 The Broad Institute, Inc., Massachusetts Institute of Technology, President and Fellows of Harvard College: EP2771468 (2015).Google Scholar2 Gaudelli NM, Komor AC, Rees HA et al. Programmable base editing of A•T to G•C in genomic DNA without DNA cleavage. Nature 551, 464–471 (2017).Crossref, Medline, CAS, Google Scholar3 Hu JH, Miller SM, Geurts MH et al. Evolved Cas9 variants with broad PAM compatibility and high DNA specificity. Nature 556, 57–63 (2018).Crossref, Medline, CAS, Google Scholar4 Gootenberg JS, Abudayyeh OO, Kellner MJ et al. Multiplexed and portable nucleic acid detection platform with Cas13, Cas12a, and Csm6. Science doi:10.1126/science.aaq0179 (2018) (Epub ahead of print).Crossref, Google Scholar5 Statement and Background on the CRISPR Patent Process (2018). www.broadinstitute.org/crispr/journalists-statement-and-background-crispr-patent-process.Google Scholar6 The Regents of the University of California, University of Vienna, Emmanuelle Charpentier: EP2800811 (2017).Google Scholar7 The Regents of the University of California, University of Vienna, Emmanuelle Charpentier: EP3241902 (2018).Google Scholar8 Liu XS, Wu H, Krzisch M et al. Rescue of fragile X syndrome neurons by DNA Methylation editing of the FMR1 gene. Cell 172(5), 979–992 (2018).Crossref, Medline, CAS, Google Scholar9 Chen JS, Ma E, Harrington LB et al. CRISPR-Cas12a target binding unleashes indiscriminate single-stranded DNase activity. Science doi:10.1126/science.aar6245 (2018) (Epub ahead of print).Google Scholar10 Jinek M, Chylinski K, Fonfara I et al. A programmable dual-RNA-guided DNA endonuclease in adaptive bacterial immunity. Science 337(6096), 816–821 (2012).Crossref, Medline, CAS, Google Scholar11 The CRISPR Journal. https://home.liebertpub.com/publications/the-crispr-journal/642.Google Scholar12 Barrangou R, Fremaux C, Deveau H et al. CRISPR provides acquired resistance against viruses in prokaryotes. Science 315(5819), 1709–1712 (2007).Crossref, Medline, CAS, Google Scholar13 Sherkow JS. The CRISPR patent landscape: past, present and future. CRISPR J. 1(1), 5–9 (2018).Crossref, Medline, Google Scholar14 Gene-edited CRISPR mushroom escapes US regulation (2016). www.nature.com/news/gene-edited-crispr-mushroom-escapes-us-regulation-1.19754.Crossref, Google Scholar15 DowDuPont revealed as the surprise leader in global CRISPR patents; study points to potential trouble ahead (2018). www.iam-media.com/blog/detail.aspx?g=4efeae13–7f84–4a30-b414–88a4e6d917ec.Google Scholar16 DuPont Pioneer expands CRISPR-Cas9 patent portfolio with license from Broad Institute of MIT and Harvard (2017). www.pioneer.com/home/site/about/news-media/news-releases/template.CONTENT/guid.EA02CAA5–07DA-AA4D-D17A-E2C6AE20D9FF.Google Scholar17 Sangamo Therapeutics, Inc.: US9873894 (2018); Sangamo Therapeutics, Inc.: US9902974 (2018).Google Scholar18 DuPont Pioneer and Broad Institute join forces to enable democratic CRISPR licensing in agriculture (2017). www.broadinstitute.org/news/dupont-pioneer-and-broad-institute-join-forces-enable-democratic-crispr-licensing-agriculture.Google Scholar19 Broad Institute of MIT and Harvard joins discussions to create worldwide CRISPR-Cas9 licensing pool (2017). www.broadinstitute.org/news/broad-institute-mit-and-harvard-joins-discussions-create-worldwide-crispr-cas9-licensing-pool.Google Scholar20 Benson Hill Biosystems receives patent for novel CRISPR technology (2018). https://bensonhillbio.com/benson-hill-biosystems-receives-patent-novel-crispr-technology/.Google Scholar21 Inscripta releases new, unique CRISPR gene-editing enzyme; free to use for all researchers (2017). www.inscripta.com/news/2017/12/13/inscripta-releases-new-unique-crispr-gene-editing-enzyme-free-to-use-for-all-researchers/.Google Scholar22 Editas Medicine extends CRISPR genome editing leadership through licensing of new CRISPR technologies (2016). http://ir.editasmedicine.com/phoenix.zhtml?c=254265&p=irol-newsArticle&ID=2230504.Crossref, Google Scholar23 Monsanto Announces global genome-editing licensing agreement with Broad Institute for newly-characterized CRISPR system (2017). https://monsanto.com/news-releases/monsanto-announces-global-genome-editing-licensing-agreement-with-broad-institute-for-newly-characterized-crispr-system/.Google Scholar24 MADzymes terms & conditions (2018). www.inscripta.com/madzymes/terms/.Google Scholar25 Gene-editing startup Inscripta raises $55.5million (2018). www.reuters.com/article/us-inscripta-fundraising/gene-editing-startup-inscripta-raises-55–5-million-idUSKCN1GC1GP.Google ScholarFiguresReferencesRelatedDetailsCited ByApplication of CRISPR‐Cas9 Technology in Bovine Reproduction3 May 2021CRISPeering: Bioengineering the Host Cells through CRISPRCas9 Genome Editing System as the Next-generation of Cell FactoriesRecent Patents on Biotechnology, Vol. 15, No. 2The trends in CRISPR research: A patent and literature study with a focus on IndiaWorld Patent Information, Vol. 65Patents and the experimental space: social, legal and geographical dimensions of 3D bioprinting25 June 2020 | International Review of Law, Computers & Technology, Vol. 35, No. 1Worldwide CRISPR patent landscape shows strong geographical biases4 June 2019 | Nature Biotechnology, Vol. 37, No. 6 Vol. 7, No. 4 Follow us on social media for the latest updates Metrics Downloaded 211 times History Received 6 April 2018 Accepted 13 April 2018 Published online 8 June 2018 Published in print July 2018 Information© 2018 Newlands PressKeywordsBroad InstituteCas9CRISPREPOEuropegene editinggene therapylicensingpatentspriorityrevocationFinancial & competing interests disclosureThe author is an employee of Allen & Overy LLP. The author has no other relevant affiliations or financial involvement with any organization or entity with a financial interest in or financial conflict with the subject matter or materials discussed in the manuscript apart from those disclosed.No writing assistance was utilized in the production of this manuscript.PDF download

Humoral and cellular immune response in Wistar Han RCC rats fed two genetically modified maize MON810 varieties for 90\xa0days (EU 7th Framework Programme project GRACE)

The genetically modified maize event MON810 expresses a Bacillus thuringiensis-derived gene, which encodes the insecticidal protein Cry1Ab to control some lepidopteran insect pests such as the European corn borer. It has been claimed that the immune system may be affected following the oral/intragastric administration of the MON810 maize in various different animal species. In the frame of the EU-funded project GRACE, two 90-day feeding trials, the so-called studies D and E, were performed to analyze the humoral and cellular immune responses of male and female Wistar Han RCC rats fed the MON810 maize. A MON810 maize variety of Monsanto was used in the study D and a MON810 maize variety of Pioneer Hi-Bred was used in the study E. The total as well as the maize protein- and Cry1Ab-serum-specific IgG, IgM, IgA and IgE levels, the proliferative activity of the lymphocytes, the phagocytic activity of the granulocytes and monocytes, the respiratory burst of the phagocytes, a phenotypic analysis of spleen, thymus and lymph node cells as well as the in vitro production of cytokines by spleen cells were analyzed. No specific Cry1Ab immune response was observed in MON810 rats, and anti-maize protein antibody responses were similar in MON810 and control rats. Single parameters were sporadically altered in rats fed the MON810 maize when compared to control rats, but these alterations are considered to be of no immunotoxicological significance.

The American Way of Farming: Pioneer Hi-Bred and Power in Postwar America

The American Way of Farming: Pioneer Hi-Bred and Power in Postwar America

Provivi, NBD get investment from BASF

BASF is among the investors in two chemistry-based start-ups. Along with DuPont Pioneer and venture capital firms, BASF is participating in a $31.5 million series B funding round for Provivi, which is developing pheromones for pest control. Provivi was one of C&EN’s 10 Start-Ups to Watch in 2015. Separately, BASF is leading an $8 million series B financing round in NBD Nanotechnologies, a developer of additives and coatings that modify surfaces with properties such as repellency and adhesion.

A Public–Industry Partnership for Enhancing Corn Nitrogen Research and Datasets: Project Description, Methodology, and Outcomes

Core IdeasThe geographic scope, scale, and unique collaborative arrangement warrant documenting details of this work.The purpose of this article is to describe how the research was undertaken, reasons for the research methods, and the project's potential value.The project generated a valuable dataset across a wide array of weather and soils that allows evaluation of N decision tools.Due to economic and environmental consequences of N lost from fertilizer applications in corn (Zea maysL.), considerable public and industry attention has been devoted to the development of N decision tools. Needed are research and databases and associated metadata, at numerous locations and years to represent a wide geographic range of soil and weather scenarios, for evaluating tool performance. The goals of this research were to conduct standardized corn N rate response field studies to evaluate the performance of multiple public‐domain N decision tools across diverse soils and environmental conditions, develop and publish new agronomic science for improved crop N management, and train new scientists. The geographic scope, scale, and unique collaborative arrangement warrant documenting details of this research. The objectives of this paper are to describe how the research was undertaken, reasons for the methods, and the project's anticipated value. The project was initiated in a partnership between eight U.S. Midwest land‐grant universities, USDA‐ARS, and DuPont Pioneer. Research using a standardized protocol was conducted over the 2014 through 2016 growing seasons, yielding a total of 49 sites. Preliminary observations of soil and crop variables measured from each site revealed a magnitude of differences in soil properties (e.g., texture and organic matter) as well as differences in agronomic and economic responses to applied N. The project has generated a valuable dataset across a wide array of weather and soils that allows investigators to perform robust evaluation of N use in corn and N decision tools.

Monsanto gains a CRISPR platform

Monsanto has signed a deal to use the CRISPR/Cas9 gene-editing platform of Seoul, South Korea-based ToolGen to develop products for agriculture. Gene-editing tools can add, delete, or change genes in plants much more quickly than traditional plant breeding and biotechnology methods can, Monsanto says. Monsanto is working to catch up with DuPont Pioneer, the first agricultural company to access CRISPR tools. Early this year Monsanto signed a nonexclusive deal for CRISPR/Cpf1 technology from the Broad Institute of MIT & Harvard.

A new toolbox for better crops

Sometime around 2020, a new corn variety will mark a huge leap in how humans design agricultural crops. It will be the first commercialized, gene-edited plant altered using CRISPR/Cas9 technology. But don’t be surprised if the corn debuts without much hype. It is a starchy or “waxy” corn that is not much different from varieties already on the market. When the seed firm DuPont Pioneer first announced the new corn in early 2016, few people paid attention. Pharmaceutical companies using CRISPR for new drugsgot the headlines instead. But people should notice DuPont’s waxy corn because using CRISPR—an acronym for clustered regularly interspaced short palindromic repeats—to delete or alter traits in plants is changing the world of plant breeding, scientists say. Moreover, the technique’s application in agriculture is likely to reach the public years before CRISPR-aided drugs hit the market. Until CRISPR tools were developed, the process of finding useful traits

China agrees to review U.S. biotech applications

China will evaluate eight pending U.S. agricultural biotechnology product applications by the end of May, potentially opening the door for sales by Dow AgroSciences, DuPont Pioneer, Monsanto, and Syngenta. China agreed to conduct the evaluations as part of an agreement unveiled by the White House on May 12. The two countries reached the trade deal after a meeting in April between U.S. President Donald J. Trump and Chinese President Xi Jinping. U.S. officials have prodded China for years to speed up its lengthy process for deciding whether to approve the import of new genetically modified (GM) crops. It typically takes six years to win Chinese clearance of a GM variety, twice as long as other major nations take. Under the new deal, China’s National Biosafety Committee will meet by the end of May to assess the safety of eight products made by four major U.S. agrochemical companies. Dow AgroSciences is

English

With the introduction of commercial soybean genotypes with Als1 and Als2 alleles that confer tolerance to different active ingredients of sulfonylurea group, this work aims to test soybean populations for the presence/absence of Als1 and Als2 alleles and evaluate the agronomic impact of these alleles addition. These trials were conducted in experimental stations of DuPont Pioneer at Sorriso, Mato Grosso state and Planaltina, Federal District. Four populations were evaluated with 40 genotypes each; 10 genotypes without Als1 and Als2 (null), 10 genotypes containing Als1, 10 containing Als2 and 10 genotypes containing both alleles. These populations were tested for different traits. The grain yield average at Planaltina and Sorriso were 2888 and 2456 kg ha-1, respectively. Yield for the genotypic classes null, Als1, Als2 and Als1+Als2 were 2672, 2671, 2631 and 2657 kg ha-1, respectively, and they were not statistically different from each other. Also, the other traits indicated similar behavior among classes. As the studied populations were developed for this study, they were inferior than the checks. This work demonstrated that in the four studied populations, the addition of Als1 and/or Als2 alleles did not cause significant differences in the evaluated traits.   Key words: Glycine max L., Als1, Als2, grain yield.

Grain Yield and Nitrogen Accumulation in Maize Hybrids Released during 1934 to 2013 in the US Midwest

Nitrogen (N) application in maize (Zea mays L.) reached a maximum of 145 kg N ha−1 in the US Midwest in 1975. Grain yield has continued to increase at a rate of 111 kg ha−1 yr−1, implying an improvement in N efficiency. Our objective was to measure the rate of genetic gain and the traits that contributed to the observed N efficiency for a set of DuPont Pioneer hybrids released between the era decades (ERA) of 1934 to 2013. These hybrids represent the most widely sold hybrids (by volume) in each ERA. A randomized complete block experiment in a split‐plot arrangement was conducted at Sciota, IL, and Marion, IA, during 2013 and 2014, with plant densities of 39,500 and 79,000 plants ha−1 as the whole plot, respectively, and 47 ERA hybrids as the split plot. This experiment was grown in a low‐N (56 kg N ha−1) block and in a high‐N (>200 kg N ha−1) block at each location. Grain yield increased at an average rate of 109 kg ha−1 yr−1 from 1934 to 2013. Partial factor productivity increased from 13.8 in 1934 to 55 kg grain kg applied N−1 in 2013 under high‐N conditions and 79,000 plants ha−1. Traits associated with yield improvement without increasing N application were (i) greater synchrony in floral development, (ii) reduced concentration of grain N, (iii) increased specific leaf nitrogen, (iv) increased kernel number per ear (KPE), and (v) increased kernel mass. Breeding efforts that select for increased KPE under increased plant density should increase yield, and this yield increase could partially be supported through greater postanthesis N remobilization from vegetative tissue without requiring greater N application.

Simulating Evapotranspiration and Yield Response of Selected Corn Varieties under Full and Limited Irrigation in the Texas High Plains Using DSSAT-CERES-Maize

Abstract. Water scarcity due to drought and groundwater depletion has led to increased interest in deficit irrigation strategies that reduce irrigation requirements while maintaining profitable yields. This has resulted in an increase in the number of modeling studies aimed at evaluating crop response to limited irrigation strategies. However, the ability of widely used crop simulation models to accurately represent responses to limited irrigation has not been thoroughly evaluated. The primary objective of this study was to determine the efficacy of DSSAT-CERES-Maize (ver. 4.6.1.0) to simulate leaf area index (LAI), crop evapotranspiration (ET), and yield response to full (100%) and limited (75% and 50%) irrigation regimes for two corn varieties. Comparisons of simulated and measured data from full and limited irrigation treatments of` two drought-tolerant corn hybrids (DuPont Pioneer AQUAmax P1151HR and Pioneer 33D49) grown in the Texas Panhandle in 2013 and 2014 were evaluated. Simulated in-season daily crop ET values for P1151HR grown in 2013 were also compared to those measured by precision large weighing lysimeters at Bushland, Texas. Additionally, a comparison of simulated and measured soil water content (SWC) within the root zone was performed for P1151HR grown in 2013. Simulated LAI for fully irrigated treatments approximated measured values reasonably well, although manipulation of plant genetic parameters failed to match measured LAI during the period between maximum LAI and the beginning of crop senescence in the 50% irrigation treatments. Similarly, simulated yield values approximated measured values for the fully irrigated treatments, while considerable overestimation of yield occurred in the limited irrigation treatments for both varieties. However, consistent overestimation of both LAI and yield for the limited irrigation treatments suggests a functional relationship between LAI and yield. Further, DSSAT overestimated crop ET by 16% for fully irrigated P1151HR and by 40% for limited irrigation treatments in 2013 as compared to measured lysimeter values. Corresponding underestimations of SWC were also observed in neutron probe measurements for both treatments. Overestimation of ET and yield and corresponding underestimation of SWC in limited irrigation treatments were mainly due to overestimation of LAI in those treatments, indicating a potential deficiency in the water stress algorithms. Additional comparisons of agronomic and lysimeter-based water balance data are needed to corroborate the findings of this study. Further investigations into the calculation of reference evapotranspiration (ETo), crop coefficients, and water stress functions in DSSAT are needed in order to provide suggestions for model improvement. Keywords: TCERES-Maize, Crop modeling, DSSAT, Evapotranspiration, Limited irrigation, Lysimeters, Maize, Semi-arid, Sprinkler irrigation, Weighing lysimeters.

Effect of high-oleic-acid soybeans on production performance, milk fatty acid composition, and enteric methane emission in dairy cows

The objective of this study was to investigate the effect of 3 soybean sources differing in fatty acid profile and processing method on productivity, milk composition, digestibility, rumen fermentation, and enteric methane emission in lactating dairy cows. The soybean sources were conventional, high-linoleic-acid variety extruded soybean meal (ESBM; 8.7% ether extract with 15% oleic and 54% linoleic acids); extruded Plenish (DuPont Pioneer, Johnston, IA), high-oleic-acid variety soybean meal (EPSBM; 8.4% ether extract with 73% oleic and 8% linoleic acids); and whole, heated Plenish soybeans (WPSB; 20.2% ether extract). The study involved 15 Holstein cows in a replicated 3 × 3 Latin square design experiment with three 28-d periods. The inclusion rate of the soybean sources in the diet was (dry matter basis) 17.1, 17.1, and 7.4% for ESBM, EPSBM, and WPSB, respectively, which resulted in ether extract concentration of the diets of 3.99, 3.94, and 4.18%, respectively. Compared with ESBM, the Plenish diets tended to increase dry matter intake and decreased feed efficiency (but had no effect on energy-corrected milk feed efficiency). The Plenish diets increased milk fat concentration on average by 5.6% and tended to increase milk fat yield, compared with ESBM. The WPSB diet tended to increased milk true protein compared with the extruded soybean meal diets. Treatments had no effect on rumen fermentation and enteric methane or carbon dioxide emissions, except pH was higher for WPSB versus EPSBM. The Plenish diets decreased the prevalence of Ruminococcus and increased that of Eubacterium and Treponema in whole ruminal contents. Total-tract apparent digestibility of organic matter and crude protein were decreased by WPSB compared with ESBM and EPSBM. Compared with the other treatments, urinary N excretion was increased by EPSBM and fecal N excretion was greater for WPSB. Treatments had marked effects on milk fatty acid profile. Generally, the Plenish diets increased mono-unsaturated (mostly cis-9 18:1) and decreased polyunsaturated, total trans-, and conjugated linoleic fatty acids concentrations in milk fat. In this study, compared with conventional, high-linoleic-acid variety extruded soybean meal, the Plenish soybean diets increased milk fat concentration and tended to increase fat yield, decreased feed efficiency, and modified milk fatty acid profile in a manner expected from the greater concentration of oleic acid in Plenish soybean oil.

Genetic Vulnerability and the Relationship of Commercial Germplasms of Maize in Brazil with the Nested Association Mapping Parents.

A few breeding companies dominate the maize (Zea mays L.) hybrid market in Brazil: Monsanto® (35%), DuPont Pioneer® (30%), Dow Agrosciences® (15%), Syngenta® (10%) and Helix Sementes (4%). Therefore, it is important to monitor the genetic diversity in commercial germplasms as breeding practices, registration and marketing of new cultivars can lead to a significant reduction of the genetic diversity. Reduced genetic variation may lead to crop vulnerabilities, food insecurity and limited genetic gains following selection. The aim of this study was to evaluate the genetic vulnerability risk by examining the relationship between the commercial Brazilian maize germplasms and the Nested Association Mapping (NAM) Parents. For this purpose, we used the commercial hybrids with the largest market share in Brazil and the NAM parents. The hybrids were genotyped for 768 single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs), using the Illumina Goldengate® platform. The NAM parent genomic data, comprising 1,536 SNPs for each line, were obtained from the Panzea data bank. The population structure, genetic diversity and the correlation between allele frequencies were analyzed. Based on the estimated effective population size and genetic variability, it was found that there is a low risk of genetic vulnerability in the commercial Brazilian maize germplasms. However, the genetic diversity is lower than those found in the NAM parents. Furthermore, the Brazilian germplasms presented no close relations with most NAM parents, except B73. This indicates that B73, or its heterotic group (Iowa Stiff Stalk Synthetic), contributed to the development of the commercial Brazilian germplasms.

When rootworms bite, this corn bites back

Genetically modified (GM) crops often require fewer pesticides compared with their conventional counterparts, thanks to their engineered ability to produce their own insecticides, a trait derived from the bacterium Bacillus thuringiensis (Bt). But insects such as the western corn rootworm are developing resistance to commonly used Bt insecticides, allowing them to happily munch their way through crop roots. Eager for a fresh combat strategy against corn rootworm, scientists at DuPont Pioneer began digging through the dirt to discover potent new insecticides produced by soil bacteria. They found IPD072Aa, a previously unknown protein produced by Pseudomonas chloroaphis (Science 2016, DOI: 10.1126/science.aaf6056). After inserting the gene for IPD072Aa into corn, the researchers found that their plants were effective at killing corn rootworm larvae, even if those larvae were resistant to Bt corn. Tom Greene, a research director who oversaw the work, says this “opens the door to new insecticidal proteins tha...