Com Growers Applaud ST. LOUIS, Mo. The Na tional Corn Growers Associa tion (NCGA) recently applauded the announcement of the completion of the genome sequencing project for a mus tard plant, Arabidopsis. This is the first complete plant genome sequence and the most complete sequence of any higher organisms, even more complete than the human genome announced earlier this summer. The National Science Foun dation, an independent govern ment agency that focuses on funding basic research, made the announcement in Washing ton, D.C. The NSF said the Ara bidopsis has become the plant counterpart to the lab mouse, providing clues to how many or ganisms work and with poten tial applications in agriculture, energy, and medicine. The mus tard plant is a model for more than 250,000 other plant types. “This is a breakthrough for plant research that will affect ail corn growers, and NCGA mem bers can take great pride that it was leadership by NCGA that >, * - , -t c j v t, iU *“■ <•;* ; t‘ v - MUCH IS A WEEK WUK^^^ i lei* I'* 1 '* Introducing GRAMQXONE* MAX herbicide. It bums down weeds in }uSt|l4tb 48 you f|n plant sooner for higher yields. , Why wait a week Or two for glyphosate herbicides to Work? || other business. You don’t wea&er.either, because GfiAMOXONE MAX is active on coj||||t. t ' . Count on GRAMOXONE MAX, now in a convenient * ■$&&&- 4 e *'4 led to the announcement,” said Lee Klein, NCGA president and a farmer from Battle Creek, Neb. “Wednesday’s announce ment wouldn’t have been possi ble without NCGA leading the effort to get major funding for the Plant Genome Initiative. Thanks to NCGA, this sequenc ing project is four years ahead of schedule.” Klein and NCGA member Bob Boeding of lowa were in Washington, D.C., for the an nouncement. “The NCGA knows that the future of the corn industry is written in corn’s genetic code,” Klein emphasized. “To compete internationally, the U.S. must continually work to maximize yield and minimize yield loss from disease, pests, and the weather without harming the environment. Modern biotech nology through plant genomics, holds the key to achieving this goal.” Arabidopsis is the smallest genome of all plants and is a valuable scientific model be cause of its short life span. The genome is the complete set of in- p* * jj ' A > New Gramoxone Max. Bumdown doesn't get any faster. % “* , \ & Plant Genetic structions for making an organ ism. It contains the master blueprint for all cellular struc tures and activities for the life time of the cell or organism. By understanding genomes, scien tists can learn how genes con tribute to the shape, function, and development of the whole plant and to use genes from corn and other significant crops to improve traits such as nutri tional value, stress tolerance, and resistance to pests. Since 1995, the NCGA has led efforts to obtain funding for corn genome and plant genome research. The “National Com Genome Initiative” called for funding of a five-year, genome mapping, sequencing, and trait identification research program for corn. In 1997, the NCGA began calling for a “Plant Genome Initiative” to generate increased support for the project and in recognition of the fact that genome research in other plants would, ultimately, benefit to corn research efforts. With the leadership of Sena tor Kit Bond, chairman of the Senate VA, HUD appropria tions subcommittee, the NCGA *-:■ r-vr^fr^ /- i •¥ u' MkU Mapping Breakthrough secured $4O million for the first year (FY 1998) of a National Science Foundation (NSF) plant genome initiative. In providing the funding, the NSF was di rected to accelerate the Arabi dopsis full genome-sequencing project and to move beyond the current work towards more “economically important plant genome projects such as corn, wheat, rice, and soybeans.” Since the first year’s funding, an additional $2OO million has gone to the NSF Plant Genome Initia tive. The benefits of this initiative include: • Reduced worldwide malnu trition due to higher yielding and more nutritious crops. • Development of tailored hybrids with valuable specialty starches, oils, and protein con- < , ffl w- '- BW ml? »v»S , <-\T% 7 V >v*w - r n ja&^* j '