Biology

Agricultural yield traits have been incredibly elusive. Plants and the environment are continually evolving. Scientists have been trying to crack that code for decades with thus far minimal success. Single-digit yield gains are the current industry standard with inconsistent performance across crops and varieties.

Texas Crop Science scientists have applied a considerable body of established medical research on a family of genes known as apyrases to plants. While common in human biotechnology, apyrases have been an underexplored area in agricultural research.

Researchers at the University of Texas began studying apyrases in plants two decades ago. The results they discovered were astonishing. One apyrase gene stood out. They researched it relentlessly and found it to be a key regulator of cellular energy management critical to plant growth. More about that here.

Texas Crop Science has conducted more than 68 field trials of our yield trait over 7 years and 9 growing seasons in multiple growing regions throughout North and South America. In these trials, corn and soybeans with our trait have delivered yield increases up to 34 percent consistently. Yield gains set a new industry standard.