Abstract: A new and distinct gamagrass, which is the product of a cross between gamagrass, Tripsacum dactyloides, and a Zea-Tripsacum recombinant. This plant is fertile, has proven to be cross compatible with Zea mays L. and Tripsacum sp., and offers an avenue to expand the gene pool for commercial corn varieties. The instant plant is perennial with well developed rhizomes, aerenchyma tissue in its roots, high carbohydrate and sugar content, abundant seed and prolific vegetation production, traits that give it improved value as a forage crop and biofuel feedstock.

Abstract: There is provided a method for transferring novel genetic materials into maize by crossing (Tripsacum X perennial Zea diploperennis) with maize. This invention thus relates to the novel genetic materials in the seed, plants produced by the seed and/or tissue culture, variants, mutants, modifications, and cellular and molecular components of Tripsacum-Z. diploperennis hybrids and of hybrids between Tripsacum-Z. diploperennis and maize. In particular this invention is directed to the ability to transfer nucleotide sequences and novel alleles into maize for genetic analyses and selection of valuable agronomic traits including: resistance to insects and diseases including European corn borer and aflatoxin; tolerance to drought, cold, flooding, corn rootworm, acid soils, low nitrogen; apomixis, totipotency, perennialism and ability to produce double haploids; adaptation to adverse soil conditions; more extensive root systems with aerenchyma and strong capacity for regrowth; enhanced grain quality and nutrition.

Abstract: There is provided a method for transferring novel genetic materials into maize. The method for deriving these new genes is via wide cross hybrid plants produced by crossing two wild relatives of maize, Eastern gamagrass (Tripsacum) and perennial teosinte (Zea diploperennis). This invention thus relates to the novel genetic materials in hybrid seed, the hybrid plant produced by the seed and/or tissue culture, variants, mutants, modifications, and cellular and molecular components of Tripsacum-perennial teosinte hybrids, and the hybrid seed, the hybrid plant produced by the seed and/or tissue culture, variants, mutants, modifications, and cellular and molecular components of (maize X Tripsacum-perennial teosinte) and/or (Tripsacum-perennial teosinte X maize).

Abstract: There is provided a method for transferring Tripsacum nuclear and cytoplasmic genes into maize. The method is via a hubrid plant designated Tripsacorn (proposed botanical classification Zea indiana), produced by crossing two wild relatives of corn, Tripsacum and diploid perennial teosinte (Zea diploperennis). This invention thus relates to the hubrid seed, the hybrid plant produced by the seed and/or tissue culture, variants, mutants, and modifications of Tripsacorn and the hybrid seed, the hybrid plant produced by the seed and/or tissue culture, variants, mutants, and modifications of (maize X Tripsacorn) and/or (Tripsacorn X maize). In particular this invention is directed to the ability to confer rootworm resistance, resistance to insect pests, resistance to diseases, drought tolerance, and improved standability to maize via Tripsacorn.

Abstract: A new and distinct gamagrass, which is the product of a cross between gamagrass, Tripsacum dactyloides, and a Zea-Tripsacum recombinant. This plant is fertile, has proven to be cross compatible with Zea mays L. and Tripsacum sp., and offers an avenue to expand the gene pool for commercial corn varieties. The instant plant is perennial with well developed rhizomes, aerenchyma tissue in its roots, high carbohydrate and sugar content, abundant seed and prolific vegetation production, traits that give it improved value as a forage crop and biofuel feedstock.