Inside Iowa State: Iowa State University

April 30, 2004

Research briefs

Toasty corn
Iowa State researchers have discovered a way to increase corn's frost resistance by incorporating a tobacco gene that activates corn's natural defense systems against cold temperatures.

Kan Wang, associate professor of agronomy and director of the Center for Plant Transformation, led the research team. The tobacco gene they inserted carries protein that activates corn's defense systems to stabilize and protect cells in times of stress from heat, cold or water loss. The team's research showed an improvement of 2 degrees Celsius in the freezing tolerance of the transgenic corn, compared to traditional corn lines.

Since corn is naturally frost sensitive, this discovery could help corn survive late-spring and early-fall frosts and allow production in areas previously considered too cold. Wang says the tobacco gene appears to have no impact on corn plant growth under normal growth conditions.

Research grant opportunities
Information about research funding opportunities is available online at http://grants-svr.admin.iastate.edu/Funding/homepage.html.

Direct questions to Sreeparna Mitra, 4-1538, e-mail: mitra@iastate.edu.