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ARS Home » Midwest Area » Ames, Iowa » Corn Insects and Crop Genetics Research » Research » Publications at this Location » Publication #134343
Title: ANOTHER APPROACH IN BREEDING CORN FOR QUALITY

Author
item Duvick, Susan
item Pollak, Linda
item SHEN, NUO - ISU
item WHITE, P - ISU

Submitted to: Meeting Abstract
Publication Type: Abstract Only
Publication Acceptance Date: 6/1/2002
Publication Date: N/A
Citation: N/A

Interpretive Summary:

Technical Abstract: Corn provides unique ingredients for industry. In corn, like in all crops, improvement by line-hybrid development is usually followed by a decrease in genetic diversity, especially in materials that reach commercial production. This approach has resulted in a narrow genetic base of corn hybrids. A narrow genetic base increases vulnerability to pest problems, may lead to a yield plateau, and makes it difficult to develop hybrids for new market demands. In any plant breeding program genetic variability must be present to make progress by crossing and selection. Limited variability for value-added traits is found in present-day hybrids and, therefore, also in elite breeding materials. Recently the development of new lines with improved value-added traits has become increasingly important. Because of the limited variability for value-added traits in improved adapted germplasm, biotechnology techniques are widely used to alter these traits. An alternative approach that we have used successfully to alter corn traits and to broaden the genetic base is to introgress adapted germplasm with useful genes from exotic corn using germplasm developed through the Germplasm Enhancement of Maize (GEM) Project. This poster will highlight our breeding procedure and how analytical techniques are incorporated into the breeding program. Our progress to date in specialty line evaluation and development for grain composition, wet milling, and starch and oil quality will be presented.