Dwarf Corn Successfully Grown in Caves

No, we are not talking about some Tolkienesque fantasy cash crop here, but researches have indeed found a way to dwarf their corn stalks while maintaining high yield - all so they can grow them in abandoned mines and caves.

Why do scientists want to grow corn in caves? According to a Perdue University press release, the agricultural, medical and automotive industries are just now learning what genetically altered crops can do for them. Specially designed plant antibodies, proteins, vitamins, and even high-purity ethanol can all be grown from altered corn crops.

However, the United States Department of Agriculture has expressed its concern in the past that there is always a risk that experimental corn crops could accidentally cross-contaminate crops intended to feed a hungry nation.

To avoid this, scientists have found themselves taking measures to isolate lab-crafted corn. Still, building isolated and self-contained faculties for prototype crops alone has proven difficult and costly to do, especially because of how tall traditional corn stalks grow.

When researchers crafted an inexpensive isolated lab out of an abandoned limestone mine in Marengo, Ind., the last thing they expected was perfect conditions.

However, when the researchers finally attempted to grow prototype corn in their hand-made "growth camber" the crops reportedly grew extremely well - even too well. The corn had grown to such healthy heights, they barely could fit in the chamber.

"We coddled the plants with such luxurious conditions that the corn was touching the lamps before it had even tasseled," researcher Yang Yang said in a Perdue press release.

According to a study published in Industrial Crops and Products, the researchers actually wound up adopting a technique commonly used by the greenhouse industry to dwarf Christmas poinsettias. Frequently changing light and temperature conditions on a extremely specific daily plan, the corn crop was effectively dwarfed without changing yield or genetic composition.

The authors of the study concluded that this is an inexpensive and efficient means to grow experimental drops without risk of contaminating the ecosystem, hopefully easing the minds of concerned lawmakers.

It may even be a hint of things to come for agriculture.

"Productivity in a controlled environment is superior to that in the field, and you can raise more than one crop per year," lead researcher Cary Mitchell said in the Perdue release. "Controlled environment agriculture is going to be one of the big movements of the 21st century."

The study was published in the February issue of Industrial Crops and Products.

Perdue University released a press release detailing this research on May 12.