The Corn Breeding Research Team at the Institute of Plant Breeding (IPB) presented the corn variety “Danicorn” or APN 426 during the thanksgiving event for then outgoing UP President Danilo Concepcion on February 3, 2023.

The deep red-orange corn variety is known to be rich in beta-carotene, zinc, and antioxidants, making it ideal for boosting the immune system and combating hunger in children.

Collected from CALABARZON cornfields, the traditional farmer variety is said to be commonly used by locals for feed and forage, or as ingredient in the sticky delicacy kalamay. The collection was further selected and refined by the IPB team with the help of participating farm cooperators.

“DaniCorn” is revealed to bear tolerance to field stresses like drought and waterlogging, as well as resistance to fusarium ear rot, based on initial studies.

This corn variety is second in the list of varieties developed by IPB in recognition of former UP presidents. The first variety recognized Alfredo E. Pascual, who served as president of the UP System from 2011 to 2017. APN 426’s honoree, Concepcion, also known by his moniker “DaniCon”, completed his six-year term in February this year. (Juvelle P. Villanueva)