9/2/98

Contacts:
Linda Pollak, GEM coordinator, 515/294-7831
Timothy Johnson, GEM data manager, 515/294-7747
Susan Thompson, Agriculture Information, 515/294-0705

CORN GERMPLASM FIELD DAY PLANNED FOR SEPT. 23

AMES, Iowa -- A field day to show recent work in a national project on corn germplasm will be held Sept. 23 on an Iowa State University research farm south of Ames.

The Germplasm Enhancement of Maize (GEM) project is a cooperative effort of the USDA Agricultural Research Service, land-grant universities and private industry. Today's U.S. corn hybrids were developed with less than five percent of world corn germplasm, which increases the potential vulnerability to pests and diseases and may lead to an eventual yield cap.

The GEM project is studying corn from other parts of the world that may provide pest-resistance genes, could lead to increased yields, and may contain quality traits to meet new market demands. Nearly 270 corn accessions were identified in an earlier project, and are now being enhanced and made available to commercial corn breeders and university researchers for further study and development.

The Sept. 23 field day will be 1-5 p.m. and is open to the public. The GEM plots will include a demonstration of breeding progress in both traditional Corn Belt and new, exotic-enhanced materials. In addition, hybrids using lines with unique value-added traits, such as high protein, elevated oil and high starch will be on display, as will hybrids using lines selected for high yield. The GEM project team members will be on hand to answer questions.

The field day will be held on what is known as the Uthe research farm. From Ames, take R38 south six miles, then 3.5 miles west on 290th Street. Or from Slater, take R38 north four miles, then 3.5 miles west on 290th.

ISU is one of two primary sites for GEM enhancement breeding and coordination, with the other in North Carolina.

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