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Corn crops defeat acidic soil

Certain types of corn can grow in soil that would kill most plants.

A genetic variation in certain strands of corn has meant that soil that contains high levels of aluminium – a chemical toxic to many plants – is able to cultivate corn crops. About 30% of the world’s total land is too acidic to support agriculture.

Scientists believe that this gene variation may lead to an ability to genetically modify crops to be able to adapt to aluminium-rich soil, greatly increasing the worldwide potential for crop growth.

Read more at University of Florida

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