Corn genetically alters itself

By cultivating more genes, Swiss scientists have just created corn that is able to secrete chemicals to kill them when they chew on their roots.

When attacked by rootworms (beetle larvae), the roots of genetically modified corn release a gas-like compound to the surrounding environment. When exposed to this gas, the flood will fall into a state of fatigue. Naturally, they will enter the stage of coincidence even though it is not the right time. Consequently, the flood will die.

Scientists at the University of Neuchâtel have discovered a gene that is capable of producing the above chemicals in oregano. They transplanted that gene into corn so they could produce chemicals themselves. The team confirmed that their corn varieties are both high yielding and not afraid of harmful insects.

Corn Beetle (Photo: National Geogrpahic)

To test whether genetically modified corn actually destroys rootworm, the expert team intercropped them with regular corn and then plunged it into the soil. " The root-eating worms were released on the transgenic corn plant after three days, " said Ted Turlings, a University of Neuchâtel scientist.

By the time of the corn growing season, the team found that the transgenic plants had more seeds, and the damage rate at the roots was much lower than those of regular maize plants.

Rootworms are one of the most terrifying insects for US and European corn fields. According to estimates by agricultural experts, the annual losses they cause each year amount to billions of dollars.