Mertz, Edwin T(heodore) (1909–1999)

US agriculturist. In his first decade there he discovered high lysine corn, now called Quality Protein Maize, in 1953, and determined the protein requirements for fast-growing pigs. From 1956–76 he consulted for the Indiana State Hospitals and developed biochemistry research departments at several facilities. In 1976 he attained emeritus status and began consulting on a sorghum research program at Purdue. His publications include Quality Protein Maize (1992). Mertz was born in Missoula, Montana. He was a research chemist at Armour & Co. in Chicago, Illinois (1935–37), and worked at several Midwestern universities before settling at Purdue in 1946.