Investor Presentaiton
A Hybrid Maize Story
Chapter 1:
Growers in central Illinois are in the heart of the U.S. Corn Belt. They need a high-yielding hybrid
that performs well in moderate temperatures and on non-irrigated land. They also need hybrids
with insect tolerance and strong roots. With those needs in mind, Pioneer researchers begin the
hybrid development process. The first step is to develop inbreds and evaluate them for characteristics
sought by customers.
Chapter 2:
The researchers at the Illinois research center spot a promising inbred. Because it consistently
delivers high yield, it is identified as a potential female parent. The researchers begin using this
female to develop experimental hybrids across the Pioneer global network. A hybrid exhibits
traits from both parents, so researchers carefully evaluate the experimental hybrids to see which
has the best combination of traits. But, the story doesn't end here.
Chapter 3:
Researchers at a station in central Nebraska have their eyes on another high-performing inbred.
Nebraska is on the western edge of the U.S. Corn Belt, and is generally a dryer environment
than environments like central Illinois. Therefore, growers need hybrids with tolerance to
heat and drought. The inbred selected at Nebraska has consistently performed at the top
of each generation. Because it sheds large quantities of pollen during an extended
period of time, it is identified as a male inbred.
Chapter 4:
The crucial point in the story: the inbreds from Illinois and Nebraska are crossed, and
researchers immediately take notice. The experimental hybrid is high yielding and
has a stable package of agronomic traits. It is advanced to the next round of testing.
This is no small feat, because every year thousands of new experimental hybrids are
tested, and only the very best are eventually commercialized as PioneerⓇ brand hybrids.
Researcher Shifu Zhen examines
plants in the greenhouses.
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