Abstract: Defoliation of maize plants, based on percent seed moisture, has advantageous outcomes including greater number of seeds per pound; increased volume or proportion of saleable seed per field and per female acre; decreased discard of seed due to commercially undesirable size or shape; lower moisture content of seed at harvest; earlier harvest date; less fuel and time expended in drying seed for storage; improved performance in laboratory tests for germination at cold temperatures; improved seed treatment efficacy; improved emergence under stress in field conditions; improved plantability in mechanical systems; more uniform stand; fewer runt plants and improved grain yield.

Abstract: In various embodiments, the present invention provides a method of extending the duration of pollen availability by planting a section of male parent seeds that includes alternating groups of male seeds adjacent to a section of female parent seeds in a field. The male seeds are planted and/or conditioned so that one group of male seeds produces plants that generally shed pollen at a different time than plants produced by the one or more other groups of male seeds. In some embodiments, the field may include multiple male and female sections and the male seed groups may alternate between sections so as to create a checkerboard pattern of male seed groups within the field. In some embodiments, the field may be planted with the aid of a positional data system.

Abstract: In various embodiments, the present invention provides a method of extending the duration of pollen availability by planting a section of male parent seeds that includes alternating groups of male seeds adjacent to a section of female parent seeds in a field. The male seeds are planted and/or conditioned so that one group of male seeds produces plants that generally shed pollen at a different time than plants produced by the one or more other groups of male seeds. In some embodiments, the field may include multiple male and female sections and the male seed groups may alternate between sections so as to create a checkerboard pattern of male seed groups within the field. In some embodiments, the field may be planted with the aid of a positional data system.

Abstract: The present invention provides methods for chemical selection of female gametes that do not contain a transgene of interest in plants. The methods result is increased efficiency of a breeding program to provide increased trait purity by ensuring that inbreds and plants are homozygous for a transgene of interest. Herbicides such as glyphosate can be used as the chemical gametocide to selectively eliminate female gametes that do not contain the gene conferring glyphosate resistance, resulting in seed or progeny substantially homozygous for such herbicide resistance on a large scale in a single generation.