hybrid maize

[kateman]

iam interested, why do companies who produce genetically modified corn/maize use hybrid plants rather than the actual plant that they have modified?
what advantages does this give (obviously there has to be something worth doing)?

any responses welcome

[MichaelXY]

I really do not know, but maybe some of the genetically modified have a funky recessive allele that they can suppress with crossing of a plant that takes care of the funky allele due to a dominant allele, but still keep the modified portion that offers benefit.

[canalon]

Most of the plants that are commercially grown are hybrids. If I remembre correctly that is because first generation hybrids tend to give better yields than pure lines.

[MrMistery]

Patrick is correct. It is a common phenomenon that the hybrid has more attractive traits than pure individuals. Genetics calls the phenomenon hybrid vigor or heterosis.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Heterosis

[Cat]

You are all correct but the answer is really simple. Corn normally is cross-pollinated via wind and it would take too much effort to contain pure homozygous lines. It is done only when the traits needed are recessive (like sweet corn production). Also, by not releasing homozygous plants on the market seed companies can maintain monopoly (at least for a while).