b'Nikee Shrestha, Ph.D. student and Hector Palala, a summer research assistant, collect samples of leaves from a sorghum plant for RNA extraction and gene expression measurement in the summer of 2023.PHOTO BY LINA LOPEZ-CORONA.A New Way toWHEN IT COMESto agricultural innovation and seed development, a plant scientist at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln is turning heads. Predict CornJames Schnable, a plant breeding and genetics professor for the UN Department of Agronomy and Horticulture, is conduct-ing research funded by the U.S. Department of Energy. His work focuses on using plant RNA or gene expression to predict differ-ences between corn plants. This unique approach to evaluating Gene Expressioncorn hybrid performance in varying environmental conditions has the potential to streamline the development of not just corn, but other crop hybrids, drastically changing how hybrids are developed.University of Nebraska researchersFaster, Smarter, More Adaptable HybridsCurrently, scientists develop corn hybrids using a combination of using RNA sequencing for rapid hybridin field tests and analyzing plant DNA to predict performance. development.Peter Scharpe, Seed World Contributor While this method has been very effective in developing the latest corn varieties, it does take time. First, thousands and thou-sands of genetically identical seeds must be developed for any new potential hybrid. That seed then needs to be tested in a vari-ety of environments and field conditions to determine how the hybrid will perform as a unit. The whole process can take seven to 10 years to develop one hybrid.What we are seeing today is both growing conditions and regulations are changing rapidly, Schnable says. Growing seasons are getting longer, rainfall is becoming less predictable, nitrogen fertilizer is getting more expensive, and changes in EPA 36/ SEEDWORLD.COMOCTOBER 2024'