SBIR-STTR Award

Scaling and Broad Application of Powerpollen: a Reliable Method to Preserve Maize Pollen
Award last edited on: 3/29/2021

Sponsored Program
SBIR
Awarding Agency
USDA
Total Award Amount
$699,769
Award Phase
2
Solicitation Topic Code
8.2
Principal Investigator
Todd Krone

Company Information

Accelerated AG Technologies LLC (AKA: PowerPollen)

2302 Se Creekview Drivesuite 6
Ankeny, IA 50021
   (515) 229-0961
   nfo@accagtech.com
   www.accagtech.com
Location: Multiple
Congr. District: 03
County: Polk

Phase I

Contract Number: ----------
Start Date: ----    Completed: ----
Phase I year
2016
Phase I Amount
$99,769
The seed industry generates tremendous value from hybrid crops relative to varietal or self-pollinated crops. For example, while corn (a hybrid crop) and soybeans (a self-pollinated crop) were planted on approximately the same land area in the U.S. in 2015, the total value of the corn hybrid seed industry was greater than 4x the value of the soybean seed industry. However, producing hybrid seed is expensive relative to self or open-pollinated crops. In some crops, such as soybeans and wheat, the biology of the plant is prohibitive to the economical production of hybrid seed, thus disabling the realization of the benefits of hybridity in these crops. Enabling a crop such as wheat to be produced as a hybrid would have an annual value exceeding several billion dollars. This project will develop methods to extend the viability of pollen and enable on-demand use of the pollen. On-demand use of pollen in seed production will improve and enable hybrid seed production, thus improving agricultural productivity and food availability.

Phase II

Contract Number: ----------
Start Date: ----    Completed: ----
Phase II year
2017
Phase II Amount
$600,000
The seed industry generates tremendous value from hybrid crops relative to varietal or self-pollinated crops. For example, while corn (a hybrid crop) and soybeans (a self-pollinated crop) were planted on approximately the same land area in the U.S. in 2017, the total value of the corn hybrid seed industry was greater than 4x the value of the soybean seed industry. However, producing hybrid seed is expensive relative to self or open-pollinated crops. In some crops, such as soybeans and wheat, the biology of the plant is prohibitive to the economical production of hybrid seed, thus disabling the realization of the benefits of hybridity in these crops. Enabling a crop such as wheat to be produced as a hybrid would have an annual value exceeding several billion dollars. This project will develop methods to scale the preservation and storage of maize pollen and to enable on-demand use of the pollen. On-demand use of maize pollen in seed production will improve and enable hybrid seed production, thus improving agricultural productivity and food availability.