Kaiima Bio-Agritech Ltd., a genetics and breeding technology company, and Beck’s have agreed to evaluate the integration of Kaiima’s non-GM, EP technology platform, into Beck’s proprietary corn breeding program. This new collaboration follows a recently completed three-year project that assessed the EP technology’s efficacy in Beck’s elite corn germplasm.
“In three years of extensive trials throughout the Corn Belt, Kaiima’s EP technology has proven its ability to create genomic changes resulting in higher yielding hybrids,” says Rick Greubel, Kaiima CEO. “We are excited to expand our partnership and to bring these benefits to Beck’s fast growing portfolio of hybrids.”
Developed by Kaiima, the EP technology is a breeding tool that enhances plant performance by inducing novel diversity within the genome, using the plant’s own DNA. Kaiima’s U.S. research team located in St. Louis, Missouri, and Beck’s breeding team will begin activities in the spring of 2017. The project will capitalize on proven EP yield performance enhancements to provide Beck’s customers with high yielding corn hybrids.
“The creation of new genetic diversity within corn is important to everyone throughout the value chain,” says Curtis Wiltse, Beck’s research manager. “We’re excited to continue evaluating Kaiima’s EP technology within our proprietary corn breeding program, giving our corn breeders the opportunity to find higher-yielding genetics faster.”
The EP technology works with all major crops and plant species. Kaiima collaborates with seed companies to apply the EP technology to their elite germplasm. According to Kaiima, benefits include increased yield, improved tolerance to biotic and abiotic stresses, as well as reduced product development timelines.
