Brown Midrib corn is distributed in the U.S. by Cargill Hybrid Seeds.
Thomas, Steven wrote:
> Accompanying request, received at the Maize COOP, forwarded to the maize net.
>> Dear folks,
>> A colleague of mine, Mark Davis, recently requested (now received, thanks!)
> seeds for several brown midrib maize lines for some work we are going to
>do to
> demonstrate whether or not the stover from these lines is more easily
> convertible to sugars to feed to fermentative conversion processes. This
>idea
> was suggested by the increased feeding value of these lines for cattle.
> Unfortunately, it is now nearly winter in Colorado and we are going to
>have to
> grow these plants in our greenhouse. However, I have no experience growing
> corn in a greenhouse and need some guidance regarding light/dark,
>humidity and
> temperature regimes, as well as plant spacing, pot size, soil mixture and
> fertilization for optimal growth. I have also heard mention of "red light"
> for greenhouse growth and wonder how I can arrange that.
>> I do have a supplemental lighting system in my greenhouse (currently in use
> with tobacco) and use Phillips Son Agro 430W bulbs (daylight spectrum),
>spaced
> at 3-4 foot intervals throughout the growing area. Do you think this is
> adequate, or do I need to do something different for corn?
>> I would also be interested to learn if you might know of a source of brown
> midrib corn stover/leaves which might help us to jumpstart our project. I
> would be interested in obtaining stover from bm1, bm2, bm3 and bm4 lines, as
> well as any of the combinations of these alleles which might exist. I have
> funds to pay for these, if necessary.
>> Also, if there are any commercial lines of brown midrib corn, I would be
> interested to learn who distributes them in the US or elsewhere, and if you
> have any of them in your collection.
>> Thanks very much for your help.
>> Steve
>> *****************************************
> Steven R. Thomas, Ph.D.
> National Renewable Energy Laboratory
> 1617 Cole Blvd.
> Golden, CO
> USA 80401
>> ph: 303-275-3858
> fax: 303-275-3799
> e-mail: steven_thomas at nrel.gov>> visit our Web site at http://www.nrel.gov> *****************************************
