Corn / Maize Product Development

Herbicide Resistance - Pioneer develops hybrids with resistance to herbicides based on these criteria: effectiveness, compatibility and flexibility, crop safety and environmental safety. Pioneer currently offers several hybrids resistant to glufosinate (Liberty®) and glyphosate (Roundup Ready® Corn 2). Continued research will result in commercializing hybrids with resistance to other herbicides. The Optimum™ GAT™ herbicide resistant technology will be a breakthrough with higher levels of glyphosate resistance in addition to SU resistance. These hybrids offer farmers more options for weed control that are environmentally friendly.

Insect Resistance - Pioneer® brand hybrids already possess some resistance to insects that cause economic damage. However, Pioneer researchers are using scientific tools that will provide customers increased protection against pests. Researchers are developing hybrids with improved European corn borer (ECB) and corn rootworm resistance. These two insects cause more than $1.85 billion in damage in the U.S. alone each year. Progress continues on moving new genes that provide increased levels of resistance directly into the cells of elite maize lines. The Herculex® class of insect resistance is truly “The Better Bt™,” with the widest spectrum of control for ECB and other key Lepidopteran insects, as well as the most effective resistance to corn rootworm.

Disease Resistance - Pioneer researchers have been concentrating on developing disease-resistant hybrids for more than 50 years. The worldwide network of researchers tests experimental hybrids in locations where disease pressure is most intense for each pathogen in order to maximize resistance levels. Recently, grain quality concerns have prompted Pioneer researchers to test hybrids for susceptibility to fungi that produce ear molds and mycotoxins. Future products will have improved resistance to ear mold fungi, as well as other important diseases. Pioneer hybrids will soon contain a novel gene that brings a new level of resistance to anthracnose stalk rot, which is a growing concern on corn-after-corn acres.

Value-Added Grains - Hybrids that produce grain adapted for specific end uses continue to show promise for maize growers and processors. Some areas receiving research emphasis are oil modification, extractable starch content, protein quality and milling characteristics. Pioneer hybrids that are classified as “HTF” (high total fermentable) will yield more gallons of ethanol per bushel than other hybrids.

Maize for Feed - Roughly 80 percent of the world's maize is fed to livestock. Since 1972, Pioneer research programs have included the development of superior maize hybrids for silage as part of this important market. This research effort is focused on traits customers value, such as total silage yield, whole plant digestibility, energy content and other agronomic and nutritional traits. Other research includes development of high oil maize for improved feed rations. Low phytate maize is also of interest to feeders because it makes more phosphorus available to the animal, lowering the phosphorous content in animal waste. Improving the protein quality of hybrids can also improve the feeding value, especially in swine and poultry. At the Pioneer Livestock Nutrition Center in Iowa, researchers assay maize hybrid characteristics and analyze performance in animals fed silage made from different hybrids and microbial products.

Maize for Food - Another important area of the Pioneer Maize Research effort is the development of white maize hybrids that produce grain for human consumption. Demand for high-quality food maize is increasing in such places as South Africa, Mexico and the United States.