A team of E.l. DuPont de Nemours & Co. scientists from Johnston-based Pioneer Hi-Bred has identified a gene that, when silenced, can help increase the feed value of grain, improve breeding programs for corn and other crops and reduce phosphorous in animal waste. The team’s research was published online in Nature Biotechnology yesterday.

The gene controls phytic acid production, a compound in grain and oilseeds that is not digestible by monogastric animals, such as swine and poultry. Through genetic manipulation, Pioneer Hi-Bred, was able to render the gene impotent in corn, greatly reducing the amount of phytic acid in the seed.

This lower level of phytic acid seed reduces the need for producers to add more costly supplements to feed. Lowering the amount of phosphorus from undigested phytic acid in manure can help reduce the environmental impacts of livestock production.

“Pioneer has developed a great example of a technology application that will directly benefit pork producers,” said Jill Appell, president of the National Pork Producers Council, said in a statement. “Low phytic acid grains will not only allow pigs to better digest feed grains, which comprise 75 percent of their diets, and absorb nutrients, but they’ll also reduce the phosphorus content of manure. That’s good for the environment.”