Targeted approaches to improve nitrogen use efficiency in maize [ 2007 - 2010 ]

Research Grant

Researchers Dr BN Kaiser; Prof MA Tester; Dr JA Rafalski; Dr K Dhugga

Brief description Nitrogen is an essential input required for growing high yielding quality cereal crops such as maize and wheat. Unfortunately, excessive use of nitrogen fertilizers can lead to serious environmental costs including nitrogen pollution through leaching and the significant cost in non-renewable fossil fuels used in their production. Improving nitrogen use efficiency in crops such as maize will reduce fertilizer use while ensuring long-term sustainable production and harvestable yields. This collaboration with DuPont-Pioneer will focus on identifying nitrogen-linked traits in Maize that will be incorporated into new lines targeted at reducing grower dependence on nitrogen fertilizers.

Funding Amount $900,000

Funding Scheme Linkage Projects