March 16, 2021

Origin Agritech develops new corn traits

Beijing-based agriculture technology company Origin Agritech has developed several new corn traits including drought resistance and southern rust resistance.

The new traits were developed by Origin Agritech's subsidiary the Biotechnology Center of Beijing Origin Seed Industry using the company's cutting-edge technology.

Origin's industry leading germoplasms, which were developed over the last 20 years, played a vital role in the creation of the new corn crops as the plants provide all the other unmodified traits necessary for a thriving corn plant.

Southern corn rust and drought are both very detrimental to corn crops. It is estimated that southern corn rust may result in a yield loss of 45%. Drought can cause yields to drop by 30% or more. The recent news out of China that drought had affected 475,333 hectares of arable land accentuates the need for drought tolerant corn crops in China.

Dr. Gengchen Han, chairman of Origin Agritech, said drought resistant crops become ever more important with climate change leading to prolonged periods of drought throughout the world, adding that the speed and efficiencies with which his team developed these new traits as it demonstrates how responsive the company can be to the developing needs of farmers.

- Origin Agritech