1890-1963

American agronomist who developed commercial hybrid corn. Earning a Harvard University doctorate, Jones continued his plant genetics research at the Connecticut Agricultural Experiment Station. He selected corn plants with desirable dominant traits to create hardier hybrids that produced higher yields. Jones genetically sterilized some strains to eliminate the need for detasseling. He identified genes to restore fertility so plants could grow viable seed. Jones's patent for this process was the first patent to include genetics. His research enabled "global agriculture" to expand.