Short corn unlocks multiple benefits

Improved sustainability and resiliency of short stature hybrids can help farmers across the globe.

The derecho that tore ac­­ross Iowa in 2020 prompted corn breeders from Bayer Crop Science and other companies to step up their focus on developing short stature corn hybrids that better withstand strong winds.

However, researchers have dis­­covered unexpected benefits beyond improved standability that will help farmers worldwide improve their productivity and sustainability, Bayer Crop Science Head of Plant Biotechnology Ty Vaughn said last week at the World Food Prize Borlaug Dialogue in Des Moines.

Short stature corn is typically 30% shorter than conventional corn hybrids,...