One 10‐inbred‐line diallel of maize (Zea mays L.) was evaluated for 2 years for resistance to second‐brood European corn borer [Ostrinia nubilalis (Hübner)], and a second 10‐line diallel was evaluated for 1 year for resistance to first and second broods. First‐brood evaluations were based on leaf‐feeding ratings in the pretassel stage, and second‐brood evaluations were based on plant‐cavity counts in mature plants. Variations attributed to general combining ability and general combining ability ✕ years were highly significant in the first diallel, but none of the F‐tests for specific combining ability were significant. Different levels of borer infestation in the 2 years probably affected the estimates of genetic effects. In the second diallel, variations attributed to general combining ability and specific combining ability were highly significant for both first‐ and second‐brood data. Also, heterosis was highly significant, with resistance being partially dominant. Inbred B52 contributed the most resistance to second brood, and CI31A and B49 contributed the most resistance to first brood. There are differences in the genes of the maize plant that condition resistance to first and second broods, but some genes may contribute resistance to both broods.

Commercial production of sunflower and soybean cultivars with altered fatty acid profiles compared to today's commodity oils has been initiated. Sunflower hybrids with oleic contents up to 90% and soybean varieties with less than 4% palmitic acid or less than 3.5% linolenic acid have been developed using mutation breeding. These new oil profiles are available in elite seed products with agronomic performance comparable to that of seeds used for commodity production. These new oil variants have been made without effecting nonacylglycerol components such as tocopherols or phytosterols. Thus, the twofold variation in these minor constituents of oil, that exist in different genotypes of the three major oilseeds, might be exploited to add greater value to novel oils being developed for the oils industry. Genetic variants in fatty acid profile or minor oil constituents, whether developed through mutation breeding or through gene transfer, are providing building blocks to develop an array of new oils for industry. The challenge – and opportunity – is for the oils industry to work with genetic companies in order to create valuable new renewable raw materials that meet the needs of consumers and the general public.

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