Agriculture Company Produces Genetic Blueprint of Female Corn Line
ST. LOUIS, Sept. 11 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Scientists at Monsanto
(NYSE: MON) are a step closer to further unlocking the yield potential of
corn to help enable each seed to increase its ability meet the world's
growing demand for food, feed and fuel.
The company announced today it has produced a genetic blueprint of one
of its top-performing elite female corn lines. The scientific achievement,
important for developing better-performing corn seeds for farmers, was made
through the use of high throughput DNA sequencing methods, as well as data
generated by the recently completed maize genome project.
"These sequencing efforts will not only identify preferred genes for
our research and development pipelines, but move us into a high-definition
molecular breeding era that uses a combination of sequence and markers to
derive future higher-yielding hybrids globally," said Monsanto Chief
Technology Officer Dr. Robert Fraley.
High throughput sequencing methods enable scientists to rapidly
identify variations in the genomes of complex organisms. In health care,
for example, high throughput sequencing aids in the discovery of gene
variants that can lead to development of new medicines.
"In agriculture, high throughput sequencing has the potential to
provide an unprecedented level of detail about our current market-leading
hybrids and to point us in the direction of meeting Monsanto's commitment
to double yields in our core crops by 2030," said Fraley.
In February, scientists led by a team of researchers at Washington
University completed a draft sequence of the corn genome. Monsanto
contributed valuable data that led to completion of the draft sequence.
Fraley said the company is analyzing the blueprint of its own elite line in
comparison to the public maize genome sequence to identify genes Monsanto
will use in its breeding and biotechnology pipelines to develop future
hybrids.
Hybrid corn seed is planted by farmers each spring and is developed by
crossing two corn inbred parents, male and female. Monsanto's elite parents
represent the culmination of more than a decade of intensive breeding
effort, Fraley said.
In June the company announced a three-point commitment to agriculture
sustainability, which includes the goal of developing better seeds to
enable farmers to double yields in corn, cotton and soybeans by the year
2030, compared to a base year of 2000; helping farmers reduce by one-third
the amount of key resources required to grow crops by the year 2030; and
helping to improve farmers' lives globally.
About Monsanto Company
Monsanto Company is a leading global provider of technology-based
solutions and agricultural products that improve farm productivity and food
quality. Monsanto remains focused on enabling both small-holder and
large-scale farmers to produce more from their land while conserving more
of our world's natural resources such as water and energy. To learn more
about our business and our commitments, please visit:
http://www.monsanto.com/.
Contact Mimi Ricketts (314-694-5703)
SOURCE Monsanto Company
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Related links:
http://www.monsanto.com
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CONTACT:
Mimi Ricketts of Monsanto Company,
+1-314-694-5703
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