RESEARCH PRODUCTS & SERVICES


Maize Research Consulting in the following areas:
  • Planning of Maize Breeding Programs from inception
  • Developing comprehensive and efficient Maize Breeding programs to deliver competitive products
  • Reviewing Breeding Programs and suggest methodologies and techniques to make it more competitive
  • Helping programs in the adoption of Molecular Breeding methodologies and techniques
  • Supporting germplasm procurement across the Maize world
  • Definition of best heterotic groups to allow maximum heterosis expression
  • Introgression of exotic germplasm to enhance diversity and improve heterosis
  • Consulting on best sources and best methodologies to develop disease-resistant maize cultivars
  • Breeding for drought and heat tolerance
  • Consulting on the utilization of the Double Haploid methodology to develop maize inbred lines
  • Consulting on the modernization of breeding programs regarding mechanization in all steps of the breeding program
  • Optimization of nurseries and nursery works to allow more efficiency and reduce costs of field operations
  • Consulting on Plant Variety Protection, Patent and the FAO ITPGR (International Treaty for Plant Germplasm Resources) polices, germplasm utilization and restrictions.
  • Consulting on general aspects of the maize seed markets and breeding needs in North America, Latin America, Africa and Asia

THE AMAIZING MAIZE- THANKS TO THE NATIVE AMERICANS
Native Corn
Approximately 9,000 years ago The Native Americans, in one area that we call today Mexico/Guatemala, developed this amazing crop. Thanks to them today 250+ races of Maize are available for breeding. Only approximately 10% are used in modern maize breeding. The modern molecular and conventional breeding techniques may reduce maize diversity, even more, increasing the genetic vulnerability of maize around the world. Walter can help you smartly introgress superior germplasm of Maize into your Breeding pipeline.
Field Cimmyt
New Maize diseases are showing up all around the world. In this picture, I am evaluating disease nurseries at the CIMMYT Maize Lethal Necrosis Nursery in Naivasha- Kenya (January 2016). I can help seed companies in procuring the most important disease resistance sources around the Globe and introduce them into their breeding pipelines.
Picture taken during the 2002 CIMMYT Maize Breeding Review, a review led by Dr Arnel Halauer from Iowa State University.