|
|
Pioneer opens soybean breeding station in Lawrence, Kan.More than 300 people attended the open house for the Pioneer Hi-Bred soybean breeding station Aug. 27. The station is located in Lawrence, Kan., and will concentrate on varieties for western Missouri, Kansas and southeast Nebraska. "Our core focus is to combine superior germplasm with superior traits," said John Soper, Pioneer soybean research director. Pioneer is taking a regional approach to the development of soybean varieties with value-added traits for feed, biofuels and oil. Soybean varieties with high oleic oil content will be developed and tested at the Lawrence station. The new high oleic varieties are part of the next generation of high-performing Pioneer soybean products with bred-in pest resistance traits and a strong agronomic package. Both irrigated and dryland soybean varieties will be developed at the new breeding station, which is one of 12 regional stations across North America. "Tested and selected in your area for your fields," said Bill Belzer, Pioneer senior marketing manager. This year Pioneer Hi-Bred released 32 new Y series soybean varieties. Soper said this was the largest technology launch by Pioneer ever. They plan to produce 25 more Y series soybean varieties in 2010. Y series soybean varieties feature Accelerated Yield Technology (AYT). AYT is the novel integration of a proprietary matrix of molecular breeding technologies into the product development process, doubling the rate of genetic gain for yield, reducing yield variability and improving performance predictability. Pioneer is using AYT in both soybean and corn varieties to meet their commitment to increase yields by 40 percent within 10 years. There will be more than 50 Y series varieties from group 0 to VII. Pioneer will focus on new commercial varieties with tolerances for drought, soybean cyst nematode, charcoal rot, stem borers, sudden death syndrome, and Phytophthora root rot. The open house included field tours of soybean and corn varieties growing in plots near the station. Pioneer has been growing crops in the Lawrence area for two years and moved into their new facility in 2008.
1
Copyright/Privacy
Copyright 1995-2011. High Plains Publishers, Inc. All rights reserved. Any republishing of these pages, including electronic reproduction of the editorial archives or classified advertising, is strictly prohibited. If you have questions or comments you can reach us at High Plains Journal 1500 E. Wyatt Earp Blvd., P.O. Box 760, Dodge City, KS 67801 or call 1-800-452-7171. Email: webmaster@hpj.com |
|
