b'Lowering Protein early spring, soil microbes wake up and One key goal for the team is to decreasenaturally convert significant amounts of corns protein level. Because nitrogennitrogen to nitrate in the soil. Because is key to protein synthesis, less proteincrops arent generally planted so early, means less required nitrogen. this nitrate isnt absorbed by plants. For the most part, lower-protein cornRather, it tends to be lost into the water will not affect its end-use value, as cornssystem and to the atmosphere. Shifting primary value is its starch content. In aplanting earlier would enable crops to traditional dry-grind ethanol productionuse that early nitrogen, which Buckler process, for example, ethanol is producedexplains would substantially cut down from corns starch content, not its protein.nitrogen losses. In the Midwest that might When corn is used for hog or poultrymean planting at the beginning of April Wolfgang Busch examines legumes that arefeed, the primary feed value is in theinstead of May.distantly related to soybean.PHOTO: SALK INSTITUTE corns starch and synthetic amino acidsIn the southern parts of the U.S., we can be added to fulfill protein require- are even considering making corn cold-ments.hardy enough that it may be more like What we want is to shift to a systemwinter wheat, Buckler says. That essen-where we build up a large pool of organictially makes corn into its own cover crop.nitrogen (in the soil), Buckler says.Buckler says developing cold-hardy Then we essentially reuse that and itcorn that suits areas where wintertime cycles through so we can apply a lot lesstemperatures go as cold as about 20F fertilizer. We can then cut down on bothcould be achievable in the long term. nitrous oxide and the leaching problem.Natural Nitrogen CyclingEarlier Planting A third way the research team is striving Another key opportunity the researchto improve nitrogen use efficiency is by Edward Buckler is a research geneticistteam is tackling to make more efficientplant breeding: introducing genetics that with the USDA-ARS. use of nitrogen is earlier planting. Inwould enable corn plants to move nitro-SATEC offers you the perfect combination of technique, chemicals and experience to produce perfect seeds.You get specific and individual solutions for pelleting as well as for incrustation or coating of all kinds of seeds.Made in Germany for 40 years, our range of products includes small batch coaters for experimental units, manual operation or fully automatic operation, batch coaters for industrial production and high-end turnkey systems.Conditioning installations of treated seeds as well as dust measurement systems for inline use are part of our original program.All over the world you find SATEC CONCEPT seed treating machinery.Visit us online www.satec-equipment.de52/ SEEDWORLD.COMDECEMBER 2023'