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Decoded Corn Genome Promises Higher Yields, Better Biofuels

Popular Science -- With its annual output of over 330 million tons a year feeding animals, running cars, and decorating South Dakota tourist attractions, maize is clearly Americas most important crop. That's why the newly published complete corn genome could drastically change the food, automotive and plastic industries. Already, scientists have identified genes that could boost yield, change the cell wall to make more biofuel, or raise the nutritional value of this vital cereal.

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Submitted Nov 20, 2009 By: GM

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adr47 Champion Author Saskatchewan Posts:1,547 Points:371,020 Joined:Nov 2008	Message Posted: Nov 21, 2009 12:46:50 PM Ignore adr47 Report Abuse Corn is for food not fuel
the1roadhog Champion Author Atlanta Posts:4,261 Points:911,480 Joined:Jun 2007	Message Posted: Nov 21, 2009 10:01:31 AM Ignore the1roadhog Report Abuse the road to mainstream alternatives will be a long and winding one.
mazdaboy Champion Author Portland Posts:2,191 Points:970,400 Joined:Aug 2003	Message Posted: Nov 21, 2009 10:00:34 AM Ignore mazdaboy Report Abuse More of a bad thing is not better.
THEDodgeman Champion Author Denver Posts:2,206 Points:800,860 Joined:Apr 2005	Message Posted: Nov 21, 2009 9:54:07 AM Ignore THEDodgeman Report Abuse SELL THE CORN TO THE ARABS FOR OIL... FORGET ETHANOL ITS USELESS..
smoketown Champion Author Cincinnati Posts:2,447 Points:512,890 Joined:Feb 2008	Message Posted: Nov 21, 2009 9:53:11 AM Ignore smoketown Report Abuse Ethanol sucks....
DirtDauber All-Star Author San Antonio Posts:965 Points:483,110 Joined:Nov 2005	Message Posted: Nov 21, 2009 9:52:22 AM Ignore DirtDauber Report Abuse Corn is an edible substance. Better to eat, than to drive with.
jayrad1957 Champion Author Los Angeles Posts:5,615 Points:449,115 Joined:Nov 2008	Message Posted: Nov 21, 2009 9:40:55 AM Ignore jayrad1957 Report Abuse Corn for food, not cars.
lkgasspotter All-Star Author Atlanta Posts:608 Points:153,845 Joined:May 2009	Message Posted: Nov 21, 2009 9:40:54 AM Ignore lkgasspotter Report Abuse Here we go again. Make us choose between eating our food or using it to drive. Thanks for the choice. Higher yields or not, higher prices are the end result.
Don20 Champion Author Oklahoma City Posts:3,867 Points:1,474,165 Joined:Mar 2005	Message Posted: Nov 21, 2009 9:40:36 AM Ignore Don20 Report Abuse Corn is to EAT, there are other things to make fuel out of..
Tnerbeel Champion Author Houston Posts:2,884 Points:604,360 Joined:Mar 2007	Message Posted: Nov 21, 2009 9:38:40 AM Ignore Tnerbeel Report Abuse Grow it to eat, not to burn
squeakyUT All-Star Author Salt Lake City Posts:868 Points:214,775 Joined:Jun 2009	Message Posted: Nov 21, 2009 9:38:09 AM Ignore squeakyUT Report Abuse Corn should be used as food. If a person had a choice between eating or driving their car, I think most would choose eating.
gabbygusIN Champion Author Indiana Posts:1,514 Points:425,400 Joined:Oct 2008	Message Posted: Nov 21, 2009 9:37:59 AM Ignore gabbygusIN Report Abuse Keep corn as a food!!
madison8359 Champion Author Cleveland Posts:1,834 Points:455,470 Joined:Apr 2008	Message Posted: Nov 21, 2009 9:36:35 AM Ignore madison8359 Report Abuse This could be promising.
w4kh Champion Author Riverside Posts:5,991 Points:1,103,395 Joined:May 2004	Message Posted: Nov 21, 2009 9:35:39 AM Ignore w4kh Report Abuse Bio-fuels from a variety of sources represent an alternative to imported crude oil. This genome research will allow for making specialized corn for fuel, specialized corn for cattle feed, and specialized corn for food, all with far higher yields and better performance... getting vehicles that can properly use the bio-fuel produced from corn or algae, or switch grass or whatever is part of the solution - if race cars use ethanol instead of gasoline, it can't be because ethanol isn't as efficient... so design for bio-fuels and we're all better off.
jb107 Champion Author New Jersey Posts:4,008 Points:1,485,590 Joined:Sep 2005	Message Posted: Nov 21, 2009 9:33:26 AM Ignore jb107 Report Abuse Ban corn use as a fuel source. Use it for food.
EricON Sophomore Author Ontario Posts:232 Points:97,000 Joined:Jul 2009	Message Posted: Nov 21, 2009 9:31:10 AM Ignore EricON Report Abuse Food is more important than cheaper fuel
Ringmaster2008 Champion Author Ontario Posts:2,097 Points:380,910 Joined:Apr 2008	Message Posted: Nov 21, 2009 9:30:29 AM Ignore Ringmaster2008 Report Abuse The way I understand it, maize is not corn for human food. It is what as a kid we called "cattle corn" but that does not mean that it is not a food supply.
bbreff Champion Author Atlanta Posts:4,307 Points:1,467,945 Joined:Jun 2005	Message Posted: Nov 21, 2009 9:29:21 AM Ignore bbreff Report Abuse Forget ethanol, use that grain to feed livestock so we could have lower food prices.
Helms Champion Author Fort Worth Posts:3,545 Points:1,071,245 Joined:Jun 2005	Message Posted: Nov 21, 2009 9:29:09 AM Ignore Helms Report Abuse THANK YOU BOU!!! not to mention we run th erisk of jacking up food prices.....not a smart plan!!!
TeachR06 Champion Author Raleigh Posts:3,157 Points:913,400 Joined:Sep 2006	Message Posted: Nov 21, 2009 9:28:30 AM Ignore TeachR06 Report Abuse NO ethanol. It ruins small engines and not good for long term use in cars.
Bou Champion Author Maine Posts:5,268 Points:1,532,765 Joined:Jan 2005	Message Posted: Nov 21, 2009 9:26:58 AM Ignore Bou Report Abuse Ethanol is a poor alternative fuel, less mileage, does damage to current motors ect.
yukonjack Champion Author Georgia Posts:3,713 Points:1,019,850 Joined:Oct 2004	Message Posted: Nov 21, 2009 9:26:37 AM Ignore yukonjack Report Abuse And exactly what does this change in the corn genome do to its value as a food supply?
biza4u Champion Author New Haven Posts:2,741 Points:485,355 Joined:Jan 2007	Message Posted: Nov 21, 2009 9:26:20 AM Ignore biza4u Report Abuse These ideas are fine but we need to have speedy research to bring them to market
Rednix All-Star Author Miami Posts:888 Points:188,510 Joined:Jul 2009	Message Posted: Nov 21, 2009 9:26:05 AM Ignore Rednix Report Abuse I've heard it cost as much in gasoline to produce the fuel from corn. Ethanol is a less powerful fuel so we end up losing. Until the technology gets better for this why do we put so much effort into it?
CharlieC08 Champion Author Colorado Posts:2,939 Points:477,145 Joined:Oct 2008	Message Posted: Nov 21, 2009 9:25:26 AM Ignore CharlieC08 Report Abuse So far I have not been impressed by ethanol.
twiper1 Champion Author San Diego Posts:2,060 Points:457,020 Joined:Oct 2008	Message Posted: Nov 21, 2009 9:23:26 AM Ignore twiper1 Report Abuse Wh do they insist on liquid fuels? Solar is the way
Ticoman54 Champion Author Miami Posts:1,809 Points:420,835 Joined:Oct 2008	Message Posted: Nov 21, 2009 9:22:47 AM Ignore Ticoman54 Report Abuse Use waste and not corn as a biofuel.
Sam195 Champion Author San Bernardino Posts:2,390 Points:456,930 Joined:Oct 2008	Message Posted: Nov 21, 2009 9:22:29 AM Ignore Sam195 Report Abuse No more food for gas.
civicdutie Champion Author Rochester Posts:1,919 Points:386,175 Joined:Nov 2008	Message Posted: Nov 21, 2009 9:21:40 AM Ignore civicdutie Report Abuse Perhaps they could use the emptied/finished cobs instead...?
granma3xnow Champion Author Indiana Posts:1,993 Points:409,700 Joined:Dec 2008	Message Posted: Nov 21, 2009 9:20:05 AM Ignore granma3xnow Report Abuse If they can alter the genes without chemicals, why not? Especially if it can boost the yield and change the cell wall to make more biofuel. (where were these scientists 10 years ago?)
Zuman All-Star Author New York Posts:682 Points:799,120 Joined:May 2005	Message Posted: Nov 21, 2009 9:20:02 AM Ignore Zuman Report Abuse Yeah lets start burning more food .....
SuesBuffalo Champion Author Richmond Posts:1,888 Points:253,790 Joined:Aug 2007	Message Posted: Nov 21, 2009 9:18:08 AM Ignore SuesBuffalo Report Abuse High output tortillas?
Jarol Champion Author Iowa Posts:2,453 Points:442,185 Joined:Nov 2007	Message Posted: Nov 21, 2009 9:17:47 AM Ignore Jarol Report Abuse Now this is progress ... but don't use FOOD for fuel.
qmyster All-Star Author Denver Posts:570 Points:166,540 Joined:Aug 2009	Message Posted: Nov 21, 2009 9:17:42 AM Ignore qmyster Report Abuse Corn serve it purpose best when you eat it.
Cheepo Champion Author Tampa Posts:4,341 Points:2,034,640 Joined:Apr 2003	Message Posted: Nov 21, 2009 9:17:32 AM Ignore Cheepo Report Abuse No food for fuel!!!!!!!!!!!!!
murdershewrote Champion Author Riverside Posts:3,768 Points:1,460,785 Joined:Mar 2005	Message Posted: Nov 21, 2009 9:15:31 AM Ignore murdershewrote Report Abuse sounds good
Zygnatz Champion Author British Columbia Posts:7,326 Points:1,438,095 Joined:Oct 2005	Message Posted: Nov 21, 2009 9:15:20 AM Ignore Zygnatz Report Abuse Corn should not be used as biofuel.
HEBster Champion Author Kentucky Posts:3,123 Points:1,239,110 Joined:May 2006	Message Posted: Nov 21, 2009 9:15:00 AM Ignore HEBster Report Abuse I'm not an ethanol fan but like the research!
CarrottopNe All-Star Author Lincoln Posts:933 Points:345,250 Joined:Jan 2009	Message Posted: Nov 21, 2009 9:14:27 AM Ignore CarrottopNe Report Abuse This is a win win for everyone except probable for the environmentalist.
BeaverBilly Champion Author Alberta Posts:4,097 Points:1,402,630 Joined:Feb 2003	Message Posted: Nov 21, 2009 9:12:59 AM Ignore BeaverBilly Report Abuse Save the Corn for the dinner table or feeding the livestock. The MPG for ethanol is horrible.
BlackGumTree Champion Author Virginia Posts:9,227 Points:926,910 Joined:Dec 2005	Message Posted: Nov 21, 2009 9:11:23 AM Ignore BlackGumTree Report Abuse This is a step in the right direction. For those who promote all corn for food, let them try eating field corn. What we need in the long run is a plant that will produce a lot of poly unsaturated fat that can be easily extracted and used for fuel. Something that will grow in poor soil and not need a lot of fertilizer. Maybe developed from the legume family.
CISA Champion Author Orange County Posts:1,353 Points:552,635 Joined:Dec 2006	Message Posted: Nov 21, 2009 9:10:11 AM Ignore CISA Report Abuse works for me
kfinto Veteran Author Texas Posts:304 Points:1,008,775 Joined:Apr 2005	Message Posted: Nov 21, 2009 9:07:39 AM Ignore kfinto Report Abuse Do we want the white coats messing with maize genes? What happens if they screw up?
Toppers Champion Author Atlanta Posts:3,277 Points:1,332,010 Joined:Mar 2005	Message Posted: Nov 21, 2009 9:07:29 AM Ignore Toppers Report Abuse This' really interesting research...
sleepyt All-Star Author Chicago Posts:687 Points:288,875 Joined:Mar 2008	Message Posted: Nov 21, 2009 9:06:39 AM Ignore sleepyt Report Abuse No, no, no. No more corn ethanol, and no GMOs in the food supply.
AC-302 Champion Author Los Angeles Posts:13,392 Points:1,779,125 Joined:Aug 2004	Message Posted: Nov 21, 2009 9:06:24 AM Ignore AC-302 Report Abuse I'd argue that WHEAT is more important than corn. Of course, one could also make a strong case that BARLEY is more important than corn, too. After all, it's what beer is made from!! Seriously, if the corn genome can help mankind feed it's growing population more efficiently, why not?
tazdriver Champion Author Huntsville Posts:4,659 Points:1,038,940 Joined:Jan 2007	Message Posted: Nov 21, 2009 9:05:15 AM Ignore tazdriver Report Abuse Until its done this is NT, not there, maybe never will be
clww Champion Author Virginia Beach Posts:21,879 Points:485,140 Joined:Nov 2008	Message Posted: Nov 21, 2009 9:05:11 AM Ignore clww Report Abuse Definitely bad for the engines. I have the outdoor power equipment repair bills for the past 3 years to prove it, too! Eat the corn; don't burn it.
148366 Champion Author Spokane Posts:3,646 Points:922,000 Joined:Apr 2007	Message Posted: Nov 21, 2009 9:05:06 AM Ignore 148366 Report Abuse Notice the lack of information on the down side of this.
rvn4me Champion Author Texas Posts:1,140 Points:384,370 Joined:Jan 2009	Message Posted: Nov 21, 2009 9:04:43 AM Ignore rvn4me Report Abuse When are they going to realize that ethanol is not the answer. It creates more green house gas to produce than it saves when mixed with fuel. It cant be piped to the refinery it has to be trucked. It is more expensive all the way around.