NCGA Welcomes News of Grants for Maize Genome Research (11-18-05)

The National Corn Growers Association (NCGA) welcomed news this week that two major grants totaling $132 million for corn genome and plant genome research have been awarded. House and Senate conferees agreed to give $100 million to the Plant Genome Research Program for Fiscal Year 2006, which aims to improve the genetic quality in plants. The National Science Foundation (NSF), the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) and the Department of Energy (DOE) have awarded $32 million to university and private laboratory researchers to map the maize genome.

“These awards reflect the continued importance of corn as a global food crop. We appreciate the Bush administration’s and Congress’ forward thinking, realizing how important this issue is for the future of corn growers,” said Dr. Richard Glass, vice president of research and business development. “The complete sequencing of the corn genome remains one of the primary objectives of our nation’s corn growers. A more complete understanding of the genome will provide new opportunities to reduce inputs, increase outputs and produce value-added end products from corn. In addition, as the sequencing uncovers more clues, this information will prove to be invaluable as research extends to other food crops.”

The maize genome sequencing project is a key initiative of NCGA, which helped organize maizeseq.org. That Web-enabled database features previously unavailable corn genome sequencing information that more than 120 researchers from 35 universities have accessed since July 2004.

“This is great news for corn growers,” said Pam Johnson, a member of the Research and Business Development Action Team. “This is a big step toward seeing the benefits of improved traits in corn growers’ fields.”

Researchers on the maize genome project are from Washington University, Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory, Iowa State University, the University of Arizona, the University of California, Berkeley, the DOE Joint Genome Institute, the University of Georgia and Stanford University.

Sens. Kit Bond (R-Mo.) and Tom Harkin (D-Iowa) played instrumental roles in securing the funding.

“I have been a strong supporter of the National Science Foundation’s Genome Project since its inception a decade ago and am pleased that Iowa State been chosen as a leader on this research,” said Sen. Tom Harkin (D-Iowa). “The corn genome project will ensure that America’s corn growers remain the most productive in the world. The world-class research done at Iowa State on this project is a boost to Iowa’s economy and all American farmers.”

“Here in Missouri, corn farmers can be proud of the leadership shown by U.S. Senator Kit Bond, who played a major role in securing the funding for this innovative project," Missouri Corn Growers Association President Gary Marshall said. “The senator's continued support of corn genome research helps position our state as leader in plant science. While the results are not immediate, the long-term goals of this research will benefit both farmers and consumers.”