A team of DuPont scientists has identified a gene that, when silenced,
can help increase the feed value of grain, improve breeding programs for
corn and other crops and reduce phosphorous in animal waste. Results of this
research were published online in Nature Biotechnology on August 5.
The gene controls production of phytic acid, a compound in grain and
oilseeds that is not digestible by monogastric animals, such as swine and
poultry, and reduces the availability of essential minerals. Through genetic
manipulation, researchers at DuPont business Pioneer Hi-Bred were able to
silence the gene in corn, greatly reducing the amount of phytic acid in the
seed.

"This research is a major advancement in our effort to improve the
quality of grain used for animal feed and brings more value to producers,"
said Jinrui Shi, research scientist at Pioneer. "For years, seed and biotech
companies have been trying, with little success, to bring a low-phytic acid
offering to market. This is the first time an institution has successfully
produced a transgenic low-phytic acid trait without impacting germination or
plant growth. In the past, this has precluded successful commercialization
of this trait."

Low-phytic acid seed is beneficial because it increases the amount of
nutritionally available phosphorus and the bioavailability of essential
minerals, which reduces the need for producers to add more costly feed
supplements. In addition, lowering the amount of phosphorus from undigested
phytic acid in manure can help reduce the environmental impacts of livestock
production.

"Pioneer has developed a great example of a technology application
that will directly benefit pork producers," said Jill Appell, president of
the National Pork Producers Council and a pork producer from Altona, Ill.
"Low- phytic acid grains will not only allow pigs to better digest feed
grains, which comprise 75 percent of their diets, and absorb nutrients, but
they'll also reduce the phosphorus content of manure. That's good for the
environment."

"The low-phytic acid trait will become part of our portfolio of traits
to be integrated into our high-yielding, agronomically superior corn hybrids
over a wide range of maturities," Shi said. "We have also demonstrated that
this can be used in other crops such as soybeans."

Pioneer plans to introduce low-phytic acid seed during the next decade
with a package of traits for improved feed quality. It is part of the DuPont
strategy to improve the productivity of grain and livestock producers to
meet the growing demand for feed, fuel, food and materials.


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