A research project funded by the USDA at North Carolina State University is exploring heirloom corn varieties, which are valued for their diverse colors, unique traits, and genetic diversity, to help preserve these traits and improve crop resilience.

The data collected from these studies—including physical traits and genetic information—will be made publicly accessible through national databases like the USDA’s Germplasm Resources Information Network and the National Center for Biotechnology Information to support breeders and researchers.

Corn remains a vital crop in the United States, covering about 90 million acres annually and forming the basis of many food and fuel products, with roughly 75% of supermarket items containing some form of corn.

Ph.D. candidate Jordan Cummings is working with heirloom corn varieties such as Potawatomi White, Bloody Butcher, Georgia Blue, and Pinky Pop, focusing on their flavor, hardiness, and genetic traits.

Cummings and his team are growing these heirloom populations in North Carolina and Missouri to evaluate their growth, physical traits, disease resistance, and adaptability, while also sequencing their genes to identify beneficial traits.

Heirloom corns like Potawatomi White, Bloody Butcher, Georgia Blue, and Pinky Pop are valued for their flavor, hardiness, and genetic diversity, but they are at risk of disappearing due to the dominance of modern hybrid varieties.

The USDA has collected around 990 heirloom corn populations stored in climate-controlled facilities, but these are at risk unless they are periodically replanted and studied to conserve their genetic diversity.

This research aims to uncover the genetic potential of heirloom corn lines, which may possess traits enabling them to resist pests, diseases, droughts, and floods, thereby supporting future food security.

By studying these heirloom varieties, scientists hope to develop crops capable of withstanding environmental stresses, ensuring a more resilient agricultural system.