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Genetic Improvements for Corn PlantsBy Kentucky Equine Research Staff · May 3, 2011
Research on the genes that control carbohydrate movement in corn plants has been funded by a grant from the National Science Foundation. The genes regulate the timing and amount of carbohydrate moving from a corn plant's leaves into its roots and ears. Finding the key to this movement could help scientists design plants that could survive periods of drought, grow larger and hardier, and produce better yield.
Controlling transport of carbohydrates could also improve the conversion of corn plants to biofuels. Plants convert some sugar to cellulose, a substance that is used to form cell walls. Cellulose is necessary for plant structure, but it is more difficult for processors to convert into biofuel. Plants that could be modified to store more sugar as sucrose rather than cellulose would lower the cost of biofuel production and use.
Continuing research into the genetics of Zea mays (corn or maize) strains may lead to the development of corn types that are superbly suitable for biofuel production and others that are more closely matched to the requirements for animal feeds, including those formulated for horses.
