Technology Aims to Produce More Corn Using Less Water

corn

by | Jan 21, 2014

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cornAgricultural tech company Arcadia Biosciences and Genective, a joint venture between Group Limagrain and Group KWS, have signed an agreement that will allow Genective to develop new corn hybrids incorporating Arcadia’s Water Use Efficiency (WUE) technology.

The partners say Arcadia’s WUE technology may enable corn to produce high yields using less water, reducing the negative impact of water stress on crop yield. Considering the major role corn plays in the global supply of feed, food and fuel, this technology will boost food security and farm income, says Eric Rey, president and CEO of Arcadia.

Under the terms of the agreement, Genective receives global rights to Arcadia’s WUE technology in corn, and Arcadia receives an upfront payment, milestone payments and participates in value sharing on sales of commercial products.

Paris-based Genective is developing genetically modified corn and aims to provide technology choices to farmers in addition to water-use efficiency that include insect resistance, herbicide tolerance and nutrient-use efficiency.

Genetically modified crops — that can feed 9 billion by 2050 and tolerate heat, drought and disease — are the future of sustainable agriculture, David Rotman, editor of MIT Technology Review, wrote in last month’s publication.

Photo Credit: corn via Shutterstock

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