Breeding with Teosinte, Wild Ancestor of Corn

Crop wild relatives provide diverse genes with often beneficial traits for plant breeders seeking to diversify and improve crops. Join Dr. Pat Byrne (CSU Soil and Crop Sciences) to see how teosinte (Zea mays subsp. parviglumis), the wild ancestor of corn, is bred with a cultivated corn. This demo plot at Colorado State University's Agricultural Research, Development and Education Center shows the mature plants of both parents, as well as the F1 hybrid, and the 1st and 4th generations of backcrosses. Funding for this video was provided by USDA-NIFA-Higher Education Challenge Grant (2020-70003-303930), with additional support from Colorado State University and USDA-Agricultural Research Service. USDA is an equal opportunity provider and employer.