Seed technology is recognized as the fundamental "chip" for food security. Following the national framework for bio-breeding industrialization, Shanxi Province is systematically promoting demonstration plantings of transgenic corn, with trial bases established across selected counties in all 11 of its cities. In response to the dryland farming conditions of northern Shanxi, Huairen City has been conducting ongoing trials on transgenic corn varieties and complementary agronomic techniques over the past two years, using field comparisons to identify superior strains suited to the local climate and soil, thereby leveraging seed technology to unlock yield potential and reinforce the foundation for stable grain production.

The transgenic corn demonstration base operated by the Huangli Agricultural Machinery Professional Cooperative, located in Yangling Village, Haibeitou Township, Huairen City, is an official trial site designated by national and provincial agricultural authorities. Now in its second year of cultivation, the crop has entered the grain-filling stage, with the second yield assessment scheduled for October. The grain-filling phase is critical for determining kernel weight, and the corn root systems are in urgent need of water. In the fields, cooperative managers are closely monitoring crop development and coordinating irrigation schedules on-site.

Building on last year's variety screening results, this 200-mu demonstration field continues to explore the value of superior seed trials. Rather than simply repeating plantings, the base is meticulously documenting the complete growth cycle data of the corn, accumulating reliable field samples to determine whether the varieties are suitable for large-scale promotion, with yield per mu serving as the core benchmark. Cooperative general manager Huo Yuanle noted: "This year, after maturity, we plan to conduct a 100-mu yield test, calculating the average yield per mu based on that area. Last year, the test yielded between 1,800 and 1,900 jin per mu, and we project it could reach 2,100 to 2,200 jin per mu this year."

Field performance remains the ultimate measure of a variety's quality. In practical corn farming, weed control and lodging resistance have long been major challenges for growers, and these traits are key focus areas for observation and evaluation in the trials. The most notable advantage of transgenic varieties is their dual resistance capability. Additionally, on plots where weeds are difficult to manage, transgenic varieties can be planted to control weeds without leaving herbicide residue, ensuring no impact on subsequent crops in the following year.

From ensuring seedling emergence in the nursery stage to applying top dressing during growth and promoting kernel development at the grain-filling stage, the base utilizes a drip irrigation system to deliver water and nutrients to the root zone precisely and in stages as needed. Cooperative caretaker Bai Xuewen explained: "Our first watering is just water, to support young seedling growth. The second application is fertilizer, and this final water application helps fill the kernels and boost yield."

Adopting the strategy of storing grain in the soil and employing advanced technology, Huairen City has now established a total of 500 mu of transgenic corn demonstration bases. Of this, 200 mu is managed by the Huangli Agricultural Machinery Cooperative, showcasing integrated water-fertilizer techniques, while the Defu Family Farm handles 300 mu of trial plots, bringing together 16 corn varieties for comparative study. Going forward, the city plans to select three to five superior varieties suited to local conditions, create replicable models through observation and training, and safeguard food security through advancements in the seed industry.