Plant breeders have developed NOP-compliant Spontaneous Haploid Genome Doubling (SHGD) methods which, in conjunction with genomic selection, can accelerate development of corn inbred lines and three-way hybrids with priority traits for organic producers. These include high methionine grain; cross-incompatibility to exclude GMO pollen; resistance to disease, pests, and abiotic stresses; yield and nutrient efficiency; and production of certified organic hybrid seed.

In addition to breeding nurseries in IL and IA, the project utilized a winter nursery in Lajas, Puerto Rico to complete multiple cycles of selection per year. The winter nursery also hosted a Corn Breeding Boot Camp providing hands-on learning and networking for Corn Belt farmer participants, University of Puerto Rico student interns, and project investigators.

The project made significant advances toward developing high-methionine and nitrogen-efficient corn hybrids, integrated the Ga1-S pollen exclusion trait into SHGD inbred lines, utilized intense insect pest pressure at the Puerto Rico nursery to identify pest-resistant germplasm, and integrated the waxy gene into breeding lines for added culinary value. The team has developed new triple-cross hybrids well suited to organic seed production that have shown superior agronomic performance in organic systems. Germplasm developed through this project is available to researchers by request.