W024 PIONEER'S PATHS TOWARDS SELF-REPRODUCING HYBRIDS

Date: Tuesday, January 17, 2012
Time: 3:50 PM
Room: Pacific Salon 6-7 (2nd Floor)
Shai J. Lawit , Pioneer Hi-Bred, A DuPont Business, Johnston, IA
Mark A. Chamberlin , Pioneer Hi-Bred, A DuPont Business, Johnston, IA
Tim Fox , Pioneer Hi-Bred, A DuPont Business, Johnston, IA
April Agee , Pioneer Hi-Bred, A DuPont Business, Johnston, IA
Marc C. Albertsen , Pioneer Hi-Bred, A DuPont Business, Johnston, IA
Clonal reproduction through seed, apomixis, in crop plants has been a multi-generational pursuit in plant science. The potential to fix heterozygosity to capitalize on perpetuated heterosis is tantalizing when facing a rapidly growing world population of 7 billion people. However, the genetic basis of natural apomictic mechanisms remains unknown. While we believe that deeper knowledge of plant reproductive mechanisms are required to produce apomictic crops, several fascinating developments over recent years in model systems suggest that the engineering of apomixis may be feasible. DuPont/Pioneer Hi-Bred has been engaged in research to develop apomixis-related technologies for a number of years. We will explore the advantages of apomixis from an industrial perspective; technology development we believe will be useful for plant reproductive biology research; and advancements which may facilitate apomixis engineering in crops.