Obtaining Seed

Two common ways of acquiring seed of corn germplasm are:

1. The USDA North Central Plant Introduction Station, Ames, IA
2. The American Type Culture Collection (ATCC), Manassas, VA

Some inbred lines may be available from either source, especially if the inbred was both patented and PVP-protected.

The North Central Plant Introduction Station possesses a large germplasm collection of corn accessions from around the world. Many PVP-protected corn inbreds and/or PVP-expired inbreds are part of this germplasm collection. Seeds can be ordered, if available, from the North Central PI station. Their web site provides detailed information regarding procedures for ordering seed of accessions. Seed can be ordered on-line through the GRIN Global system, or by contacting the corn germplasm curator.

The ATCC possess samples of patented biological materials, including seeds of patented corn inbreds, hybrids, and synthetic populations. It is possible to order seeds of patented or patent-expired corn varieties from them. The American Type Culture Collection web site provides detailed information regarding ordering procedures for patented seed samples.

Starting about January, 2020, patented seed samples of some patent holders have been deposited in either a third or fourth alternative location. These are:

3.  National Center for Marine Algae and Microbiota, East Boothbay, ME 04544

4.  National Collection of Industrial, Food, and Marine Bacterial, Bucksburn, Aberdeen, AB21 9YA, Scotland, United Kingdom

The location in which a patented seed sample is deposited is listed in the details section of various CPIS searches.  Details regarding seed acquisition from these institutions may be found on their respective web sites.