A new seed hybrid has the potential to increase yields by 10% and represents one of the first major innovations for the crop in decades. This week Corteva unveiled a drought-resistant wheat seed that could be “revolutionary” in advancing more climate-resilient hybrids for a crop that’s been difficult to innovate.
The new proprietary hybrid wheat seed has the potential to increase yields by 10% while using the same amount of land and resources. The non-GMO technology can also provide yields 20% above competitors in drought conditions. The Indianapolis-based company plans to bring hybrid Hard Red Winter wheat to North America by 2027 as competitors race to bring drought-tolerant seeds to market.
Hybrid seeds, created by crossing two genetically different parents, have been used for decades by corn and soy farmers as a way to produce more resilient, higher yielding plants. However, due to the relatively complex genetics of wheat, progress on creating a hybrid has been slow.
