Investor Presentaiton
Another biotechnology tool is a molecular marker. A molecular marker is a piece of DNA that
is closely associated with a gene (or genes) responsible for a certain trait. Molecular markers
help identify traits like maturity or height along the DNA trail. Using molecular markers,
Pioneer researchers can better predict which plants have beneficial traits. This saves time
because the first selection is made in the lab even before field trials begin. As a result, breeders
begin field trials with an improved pool of candidate hybrids that are more likely to succeed
in customers' fields.
Tassel
Biotechnology tools have led to the development of maize with improved disease resistance,
improved grain qualities and other traits beneficial to producers and consumers. These tools
also have helped researchers develop tomatoes with greater amounts of cancer-fighting
antioxidants, and identify a plant gene that could keep fruits and vegetables fresher longer.
THE ANATOMY OF A MAIZE PLANT AND DEVELOPMENT OF A HYBRID
Silks
Ear
A mature maize plant has three visible reproductive system components:
⚫ the tassel at the top of the plant,
•
the ear containing the embryo, and
the silks on the top of the ear.
A maize plant has both male and female reproductive components. It can fertilize itself and
nearby maize plants.
The tassels, the male part, produce the pollen needed to produce seed. Ears, the female part,
have silks. Pollen travels along the silks to fertilize seed embryos on the ear. Under ideal growing
conditions, each fertilized embryo will produce a new seed. There is one silk for each embryo
on the ear. When the pollen from a maize plant fertilizes its own ear, the plant is referred to
as being self-pollinated.View entire presentation