Blue River Hybrids, the leading producer of organic field corn, was first-to-market with three PuraMaize corn hybrids in 2012: 47PM37cnv (102 day), 58PM36 organic (107 day), and 71PM50cnv (114 day).
PuraMaize is a completely natural gene blocking system, which impedes fertilization from both GMO and blue corn pollen.
PuraMaize is a pollen recognition system, which strongly prefers its own pollen. When GMO or blue corn pollen drifts onto the silk of PuraMaize corn hybrids, the “foreign” pollen is quickly overtaken by the PuraMaize pollen which travels down the silk channel at a faster rate and fertilizes the ovule first.
As a pollen recognition system, PuraMaize does not affect the growth of the plant nor grain fill of the developing ear. Likewise, it does not alter taste or other functional properties. “PuraMaize hybrids are agronomically sound, with competitive yields, and are offered in the best genetics available today,” says Johnson.
PuraMaize does not stop pollen movement, but rather blocks successful fertilization by non-PuraMaize pollen. When planting PuraMaize directly adjacent to a GMO field, use the outer four rows (10 feet) as a buffer zone. Farmers still have to clean out and monitor all equipment used for planting, harvesting, and hauling grain.
“Grain buyers want assurance that grain will be free from GMO contamination, and PuraMaize offers just that,” says Maury Johnson, founder of Blue River Hybrids. “PuraMaize is highly effective in protecting corn from GMO field drift, and with our PuraMaize Corn Hybrids grain farmers and buyers have a powerful new tool at their disposal for preserving non-GMO integrity.”
Farmers from eleven states planted PuraMaize in 2012. Samples from the 2012 grain harvest, tested by an independent testing agency, Genetic ID of Fairfield, Iowa, rated a “GMO Not Detected, negative at the operational limit of 0.05%.” These findings affirm our confidence in PuraMaize to perform as expected, making it possible for the organic farmer to grow a GMO Free crop.
Blue River Hybrids has been developing PuraMaize since 2007.
For more information contact Maury Johnson at [email protected] or 800-370-7979.
