DuPont unit launches Y-series soy varieties

Chemicals maker DuPont Co said it has launched a new generation of soy varieties, which would increase soy productivity in North America.

DuPont said its Pioneer Hi-Bred unit unveiled the new Y Series sos and intends to offer them for the 2009 planting season.

"With the Y Series yield advantage, this new line has the potential to add about 19 million bushels of soy into US production," said Paul Schickler, Pioneer president and DuPont vice president.

Pioneer said it would launch enough seeds to plant about nine million acres of the Y series soy in 32 new varieties.

The entire line of varieties has demonstrated a 5-percent yield advantage against key competitor varieties in more than 1,800 on-farm comparisons, with some varieties yielding 6 to 10 percent better than their competitors, the company said.