New Hybrid Slashes Cost of Seed Corn

Botanists have eliminated the most expensive part of the nation's hybrid corn seed business. This is the claim made for a new breed of hybrid corn which will not require "detasseling." The breed was developed by Paul C. Mangelsdorf, professor of Botany, and Donald F. Jones of the Connecticut Agricultural Station, who announced their discovery today.

The new plant produces no pollen on its tassel. In order that only the desired pollen will father a new hybrid type, growers have always had to remove by hand the pollen bearing tassels in alternate plots of corn.

Results of comprehensive tests with the new method indicate, the scientists report, that it "promises to revolutionize the hybrid corn seed industry.

The new breed will also contribute to higher yields per acre by eliminating injuries to plants now a part of the "detasseling" process and by reducing appreciably the danger of infection in "detasseling."