Developing Seeds for Sustainable Farming
Since 1949, MAS Seeds has collaborated with farmers accross Europe and West Africa in the development of high yielding, durable hybrids that are responsive to the changing climate.
Each seed variety has a decade of research and development behing it. As a result, our track record makes our hybrids a trusted, sustainable partner for farmers across 50 countries.
Helping farmers adapt to a changing climate through specialised agronomic support and the development of disease-resistant, drought-proof and high nutrient hybrids.
R&D - Where it All Begins
As one of Europe's major seed companies, our top priority is the development of hybrid varieties that deliver high and secure top yields. Our investment in technology and R&D enables MAS Seeds to develop sustainable disease and drought-resistant seed varieties.
Creating new varieties beyond genetics, soil management and crop production, is our primary R&D goal, adding value to each seed planted on your farm.
Breeding Purpose
The purpose of MAS Seeds is to positively impact agriculture and provide sustainable solutions for the world of today and tomorrow. New constraints are making farmers' work more complex. The researchers have been anticipating these changes for many years, and are continuously trying to improve the seeds.
MAS Seeds's breeding examples through genetic innovations:
- Breeding to secure feed efficiency in changing climate with GREEN+ silage corn hybrids
- Yield maximization under any weather condition with WATERLOCK grain corn hybrids
- High disease tolerance with HelioSMART sunflower hybrids
Our Breeding Priorities
Feed Efficiency
MAS Seeds helps farmers secure feed efficiency in changing climate conditions. We are focused on improving disease tolerance, extended stay green, yield maximisation, and creating varieties with higher soluble sugars even under drought stress.
Drought Stress
With a focus on breeding for quick field establishment and plant density under unfavorable sowing conditions, MAS Seeds is breeding drought tolerant varieties with strong dry-down and high protein content.
Disease Tolerance
Combining quick field establishment with improved resistance against mildew, verticilium, sclerotinia, MAS Seeds is a leader in sunflower genetics. Offering varieties with expanded trait conversion for herbicide, broomrape and mildew tolerances, they are strong performers.
A Modern Breeding Methodology to Increase Genetic Gain
Here is how we apply a multidisciplinary breeding methodology to increase crop genetic potential per field and make farming sustainable for future generations.
Breeding 3.0
MAS Seeds is adjusting maize breeding strategies to accelerate the breeding process. This allows us to create high performance hybrids adapted for changing climates.
Data Driven Research
We apply high-end genotyping methodologies to all our crops to develop the best varieties for you. In partnership with NSIP we develop predictive breeding technologies to bring genetic innovation into the world market, faster and more precisely. We turn field data into actionable insights to support our R&D strategy.
Envirotyping
We include all agro-climatic scenarios in breeding decisions and hybrid positioning as part of our variety development.
Research Locations
MAS Seeds has eight R&D centres across Europe and Africa, enabling us to select optimal combinations for different geographical conditions. We combine genetic fingerprinting with molecular markers and field trials to create, evaluate, and select hybrids based on genetic profiling.
R&D in Numbers
1
Biomolecular Lab in Haut-Mauco, France
8
R&D centers in France, Germany, Romania, Ukraine, Russia, Mexico and Ivory Coast
4
Winter generation sites: Chile, Argentine, Senegal, Mexico
140
Researchers, engineers and technicians in R&D department
230
Trial locations and more than 300 000 plots
40
Breeding partners in public and private institutions