Hybridization
The future for pest resistance in corn may lay in hybridizing instead of genetically modifying.
Genetically Modified VS.
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Hybridized
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FUTURE RESEARCH NEEDED
Hybridized maize is only crossed with other maize plants, pulling from a wide variety of genetic information that is still within the same species. A study using 54 experimental corn hybrids proved successful with 48 hybrids exhibiting some level of resistance (Tefera, Stephen, Paddy & Yoseph, 2011). The pests used in this study were not North American pests but this is a well crafted, simple experiment that can be applied to testing resistance against rootworm. We should continue this research with a larger base of differing experimental hybrids and a focus on hybrid corn resistance to rootworm. With future research on hybrids, we might have a viable alternative to the pest resistance promoting, genetically modified corn.
Hybridized maize is only crossed with other maize plants, pulling from a wide variety of genetic information that is still within the same species. A study using 54 experimental corn hybrids proved successful with 48 hybrids exhibiting some level of resistance (Tefera, Stephen, Paddy & Yoseph, 2011). The pests used in this study were not North American pests but this is a well crafted, simple experiment that can be applied to testing resistance against rootworm. We should continue this research with a larger base of differing experimental hybrids and a focus on hybrid corn resistance to rootworm. With future research on hybrids, we might have a viable alternative to the pest resistance promoting, genetically modified corn.