VIB gene discovery could increase corn harvest

The researchers succeeded in boosting corn’s biomass and seed production significantly by increasing the power of its PLA1. “This resulted in an additional yield of 10 to 15% in the same agricultural area,” said professor Dirk Inzé in a statement.

Analyses on a cellular level have shown that PLA1 also extends the duration of plant growth. “Plants with the PLA1 trait become bigger and produce more seeds, which can be a benefit to farmers,” said researcher Hilde Nelissen.

The growth-enhancing effect of PLA1 was confirmed through field trials that took place over several seasons in Belgium and in the US. In the greenhouse, the researchers also discovered that PLA1 plays a role in how plants cope with drought stress. The gene appeared to partly compensate for the growth reduction that normally occurs as a result of long periods of water shortage.

According to the researchers, the results are crucial in the search for stable crops in more extreme weather conditions  resulting from global warming.