Location: Corn Insects and Crop Genetics Research
Project Number: 5030-21000-066-010-R
Project Type: Reimbursable Cooperative Agreement
Start Date: Oct 1, 2017
End Date: Aug 31, 2021
Objective:
The overall goal of the project is to substantially increase the productivity of organic field and sweet corn production within organic crop rotations, by improving the efficiency of breeding through doubled haploid (DH) technology and traditional breeding methods, focused on early plant vigor and competitiveness factors.
Approach:
1. Develop novel organic field corn and sweet corn genotypes for the commercialization pipeline that utilize traditional breeding and more efficient methods of breeding (e.g., organic-compliant Double Haploid technology).
2. Select and test on-farm genotypes that meet the critical needs of organic producers, including high yields, competiveness with weeds, and compatibility with cover crops.
3. Practice technology transfer through a network with organic farmers and organic seed companies that allows for plant-breeding, selection, evaluation and seed processing training and skill development.
