Donald N. Duvick

Donald N. Duvick was a plant breeder and geneticist with a long career in the private sector. He was employed by Pioneer from 1951 to 1990, successively as geneticist and corn breeder; coordinator of corn breeding; director of corn breeding; director of plant breeding; vice president/research; and senior vice president/research. Following his retirement from Pioneer, he accepted an off-campus appointment as affiliate professor in the Department of Agronomy at Iowa State University, Ames, Iowa.

Dr. Duvick's research contributions during the past 50 years included the developmental cytology and biochemistry of starch and protein components of the maize endosperm; the genetics and practical applications of cytoplasmic male sterility in maize; elucidation of changes in productivity of commercial maize hybrids since the advent of hybrid maize; and genetic diversity as affected by plant breeding. He published pioneering papers in each of these fields.

Dr. Duvick's inquisitive nature and love of plants was inspirational. He led Pioneer through a tremendous growth period where our corn market share expanded globally at an unprecedented rate. He believed in the power of genetics and built teams of people that achieved extraordinary results for our customers.

Following his death in 2006, Dr. Duvick was posthumously recognized in the international maize scientific journal, MAYDICA. The commemorative edition is a tribute to his life and his contributions to agronomy and agriculture worldwide.