Published April 2009
High performance computing (HPC) is enabling researchers at Pioneer Hi-Bred, a DuPont business, to conduct leading-edge research into plant genetics to create improved varieties of seeds. Pioneer researchers use HPC to manage and analyze massive amounts of molecular, plant, environmental and farm management data, allowing them to make product development decisions much faster than by using traditional experiments and testing alone. HPC also gives Pioneer a window into the future, allowing them to make more informed decisions about their applied breeding programs and frontload experiments with predicted potential winners. For Pioneer, the result has been faster improvement in new seed products, staying ahead of the competition, a major jump in innovation and productivity, and the ability to help meet some of the world's most pressing demands regarding the availability of food, feed, fuel and materials.
