SmartStax is a brand of genetically modified

Genetically modified plant

Genetically modified plants are plants whose DNA is modified using genetic engineering techniques. In most cases the aim is to introduce a new trait to the plant which does not occur naturally in this species...

 seed made through a collaboration between Monsanto Company and Dow

Dow

-People:*Herbert Henry Dow , founder of Dow Chemical Company*Charles Dow , founder of Dow Jones & Co*James R. Dow, professor of German language*Paula Dow , 58th Attorney General of New Jersey*Neal S...

. It takes advantage of multiple modes of insect protection and herbicide tolerance. SmartStax takes advantage of Yieldgard VT Triple (Monsanto), Herculex Xtra (Dow), RoundUp Ready 2 (Monsanto), and Liberty Link (Dow). The traits included protect against above-ground insects, Below-Ground insects, and provide broad herbicide tolerance. It is currently available for corn

Maize

Maize known in many English-speaking countries as corn or mielie/mealie, is a grain domesticated by indigenous peoples in Mesoamerica in prehistoric times. The leafy stalk produces ears which contain seeds called kernels. Though technically a grain, maize kernels are used in cooking as a vegetable...

, but cotton

Cotton

Cotton is a soft, fluffy staple fiber that grows in a boll, or protective capsule, around the seeds of cotton plants of the genus Gossypium. The fiber is almost pure cellulose. The botanical purpose of cotton fiber is to aid in seed dispersal....

, soybean

Soybean

The soybean or soya bean is a species of legume native to East Asia, widely grown for its edible bean which has numerous uses...

, and specialty crop variations are to be released. Previously, the most genes artificially added to a single plant was three, but Smartstax includes eight. Smartstax also takes advantage of the Acceleron

Acceleron

Accelerons are hypothetical subatomic particles postulated at the University of Washington to relate the newfound mass of the neutrino to the dark energy conjectured to be accelerating the expansion of the universe....

 Seed Treatment System which protects against insects at the earliest stages of development. SmartStax is ground-breaking in that it requires only 5% refuge acres as opposed to the 20% required of older technologies. Smartstax builds towards Monsanto's Promise of doubling yields by 2030 on the same or less land. Smartstax is sold under the Genuity

Genuity

Genuity is currently an umbrella brand from Monsanto to cover its genetically modified products. Previously, the name was used for a web hosting business owned by Bechtel, which was then sold to the ISP business under GTE in 1997 and spun off as an independent company in 2000...

 (Monsanto) and Mycogen

Mycogen Seeds

Mycogen Seeds, headquartered in Indianapolis, Indiana, United States, provides seeds for agriculture. Mycogen is one of the largest sunflower seed producers. Mycogen produces, markets and sells hybrid seed corn...

(Dow) brands.

Refuge Acres

To prevent or delay insect resistance, growers plant a refuge on their farm. This is an area of non-GM plants where insect can live. These insect will not evolve resistance to GM technology. These refuge acres ensure that rare resistant insects that feed on insect-protected varieties of corn will mate with susceptible insects and slow the development of resistance.

Promotion & Branding

Smartstax corn has been advertised and promoted on television, at farm trade shows, and online as Monsanto has geared up for widespread commercial release. Smartstax is sold under the Genuity Brand by Monsanto and the Mycogen brand by Dow, but both companies have the right to sell it under as many names with as many additional technologies as they wish. Some of the topics discussed in the tv spot and the online videos include the reduced refuge acreage requirements, improved yields, and increased flexibility. The two common phrases used when discussing the Genuity brand are "Wouldn't it be better" and "Helping farmers do what they do best, even better. The "smart" portion of Smartstax is an acronym standing for Spectrum, Multiple (modes of action), Acceleron, Reduced (corn refuge acres), and Total (piece of mind). Dow has not promoted Smartstax as heavily.