Research & Development at MAS Seeds®

MAIZE

• Very early to late leafy & digest silage​
• Very early to late grain​
• Tropical maize​

SUNFLOWER

• Very early to late sunflower​
• Herbicide tolerance technologies​
• Linoleic & high-oleic types​
• Broomrape, mildew and black rust tolerances​

AGRO-ECOLOGY and crops for diversification

• Product development for cover crops, forage mixtures, soybean, alfalfa, winter oilseed rape and sorghum
• Agroecology solution designs such as: mix cropping, relay cropping and intercropping

MARKER ASSISTED GENOMIC SELECTION

With the help of molecular genetic markers we select only plants only with desired characteristics for our breeding programs. It helps us increase genetic gain of complex traits per unit time and cost. We use genomic data to estimate the genetic potential of lines or hybrids. This information helps identify genetic material more accurately and at an earlier stage of development making our breeding process more precise, efficient and rapid.

DATA DRIVEN RESEARCH

We apply high-end genotyping methodologies to all our crops to develop the best varieties for you. In partnership with NSIP we develop predictive breeding technologies to bring genetic innovation into the world market, faster and more precisely by by leveraging advanced technologies and data analysis to forecast the performance of potential crosses before even testing them in the field. This way we test combinations that are more likely to produce superior hybrids, thus increase breeding efficiency and speed.

ENVIROTYPING

We include comprehensive assessment of agro-climatic scenarios and models in breeding decisions and hybrid positioning as part of our variety development. This method allows us characterising the growing environment, including factors like soil type, temperature, moisture, and other variables, to understand how these conditions influence variety performance. By systematically analysing the interactions between genotype and environment, we can create resilient and adaptable varieties, contributing to sustainable agriculture in diverse and variable environments

CROSSBREEDING

Crossbreeding or cross-fertilisation using pollen is oldest breeding method dating back to Mesopotamia, the beginning of agriculture of today. It involves the intentional blending of genetic material from two distinct parent plants to create offspring with desired traits. This long process allows enhancement of specific characteristics, such as increased yield, resistance to pests, or adaptability to diverse environments.

PARENTAL LINE CREATION

Parental line creation is the systematic development of stable and genetically uniform lines through successive generations. Breeders carefully and self-pollinate (fertilise plants with their own pollen and isolate) lines with desired traits to maintain genetic uniformity. This repeated cycles of self-pollination and selection, can span 5 to 10 years. The resulting reliable parental lines serve as crossing basis for hybrids creation to ultimately create improved plant varieties with consistent and desirable features.

HYBRID CREATION

In hybrid breeding two genetically distinct parent lines are cross-pollinated to capitalise on the heterosis effect, where the hybrid exhibits superior traits compared to its parents. Breeders carefully select parent lines with complementary characteristics, preventing self-pollination to ensure controlled fertilisation. The resulting hybrids demonstrate increased vigor, yield, or resistance, making hybrid breeding a crucial method for developing plant varieties with enhanced performance and productivity.