Corn gene breakthrough speeds up crop innovation

Jun 06, 2024

UNL technique identifies functions of thousands of genes

By Farms.com

Understanding the function of genes is crucial for improving crops. However, pinpointing the role of each gene in corn has been slow and expensive. Now, researchers at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln (UNL) have developed a faster and cheaper method for identifying corn gene functions.

This innovative technique, led by Vladimir Torres-Rodriguez and Professor James Schnable, utilizes RNA analysis instead of traditional DNA methods. This approach identified ten times more corn genes affecting flowering time compared to DNA-based methods.

The new technique can significantly reduce the cost of bringing gene-edited corn varieties to market, benefiting both farmers and consumers. Faster development of improved corn varieties can also lead to more resilient crops better suited to withstand harsh conditions.

"UNL has produced the largest data set of corn gene expression measurements in the world," said Torres-Rodriguez. This vast dataset, combined with Schnable's expertise, positions UNL as a leader in corn research.

The project was made possible through collaboration with private companies like Alphabet's X division. This partnership highlights the growing importance of public-private partnerships in agricultural innovation.

UNL's breakthrough paves the way for a future with faster development of improved corn varieties, leading to more resilient crops and potentially lower food prices.

Video: Evolution of Beef Cattle Farming

The Clear Conversations podcast took to the road for a special episode recorded in Nashville during CattleCon, bringing listeners straight into the heart of the cattle industry. Host Tracy Sellers welcomed rancher Steve Wooten of Beatty Canyon Ranch in Colorado for a wide-ranging discussion that blended family history and sustainability, particularly as it relates to the future of beef production.

Sustainability emerged as a central theme of the conversation, a word that Wooten acknowledges can mean very different things depending on who you ask. For him, sustainability starts with the soil. Healthy soil produces healthy grass, which supports efficient cattle capable of producing year after year with minimal external inputs. It’s an approach that equally considers vegetation, animal efficiency, and long-term profitability.

That philosophy aligned naturally with Wooten’s involvement in the U.S. Roundtable for Sustainable Beef, where he served as a representative for the Colorado Cattlemen’s Association. The roundtable brings together the entire beef supply chain—from producers to retailers—along with universities, NGOs, and allied industries. Its goal is not regulation, Wooten emphasized, but collaboration, shared learning, and continuous improvement.