b'Dior Kelley, assistant professor at Iowa State University Department of Genetics, Development and Cell Biology and Craig Cowling,ISU Ph.D. candidate in Interdepartmental Plant Biology, in one of the research greenhouses.Although the height of corn plants has stolen much of theThe research Kelley has done has been in corn varieties this spotlight, Kelley remains passionate about the work her teamreduced auxin transport allele has been successfully bred into accomplished in controlling root growth. The shorter-rootedare not varieties that are known for high yield. They have the varieties they developed help corn plants remain closer to theW22 and B73 genetic backgrounds. surface, where fertilizers and moisture are most available. ThisKelleys team is now focusing on fine-tuning the breeding prevents energy waste by keeping roots from spreading too farprocess and bringing their alleles into other genetic lines that do in search of nutrients, and it ensures that applied fertilizers aremake good hybrids. From those lines, they can start collecting absorbed efficiently. and publishing more accurate yield data and comparisons to better understand how yield might be impacted. Future Steps to Breeding Shorter Corn As of now, Kelley says the trials have not shown any reduction This work has significant implications for sustainable agriculture.in yield or in ear placement.SWAs farmers face increasing pressures to reduce fertilizer use due to environmental regulations and cost concerns, the ability to grow corn that utilizes nutrients more efficiently is a game- WHERE changer. Shorter corn may require less water and nutrients,ON THE WEBanother boon for farmers facing the rising costs of inputs. However, as with any scientific advancement, there is still published another shorter corn story: Is Short-Statured Corn the Future? Last year Seed Worldmore work to be done.www.seedworld.com/us/2023/11/06/is-short-statured-corn-the-future/20/ SEEDWORLD.COMJANUARY 2025'