Scientists associated with GEM, for example, are evaluating about 260 kinds of corn or accessions that were selected for yield from more than 12,000 kinds identified from another program. The challenge has always been how to efficiently extract these genes and get them into commercially usable material. That's where GEM comes in. Pollak says scientists have taken the original accessions and made about 400 crosses with inbreds supplied by seed companies. It can take up to 10 years or more to develop a hybrid for commercial release.
Yield is still the driving force for evaluating germ plasm.
Pollak notes that after three years of tests on early GEM experimental lines, many yield as well as or better than today's elite offerings. But although high on yield, most fall short in agronomic traits, such as standability and field drydown. Further work will be needed to bring the agronomic characteristics to acceptable levels. Pollak says scientists also are looking for characteristics that are different from commercial offerings. Pollak's work focuses on enhanced grain quality traits, such as higher protein content and starch structures that don't require chemical modification for use in food.