Nov. 25, 2009 (United Press International) -- U.S. scientists say their discovery of genetic variations in two common types of corn could help biologists create strains of corn with specific traits.

The research team, led by Assistant Professor Brad Barbazuk of the University of Florida, included scientists from Iowa State University, the University of Minnesota and Roche NimbleGen Inc. who compared DNA sequences of the corn strains known as B73 and Mo17.

The researchers said they were astonished to find abundant variations between the two strains. They reported finding variation in the number of copies of sections of genetic material, and the presence of many genes that were unique to each strain. For example, they report finding 180 genes in the B73 strain that are not in the Mo17 strain.

"The genomes of two corn strains are much more different than we would have thought," said University of Minnesota Associate Professor Nathan Springer, a study author. The researchers say they believe the genetic diversity explains the superiority of hybrids that benefit from the genes of both parents.

Springer said understanding the molecular basis of a hybrid's vigor could help scientists produce strains of corn having specific traits for specific uses, making better use of the land, fertilizer and fuel needed to grow corn.

The study is reported in the Nov. 20 issues of the journals Science and PLOS Genetics.