Final answer:
The key factor that allows hybrid corn to produce high yields, as mentioned in Michael Pollan's 'The Farm,' is Hybrid vigor, which results from combining the traits of two different parent plants.
Step-by-step explanation:
According to Michael Pollan's chapter, "The Farm," in The Omnivore's Dilemma, the key factor that allows hybrid corn to produce such high yields is D) Hybrid vigor. This phenomenon occurs when the crossbreeding of two different varieties of plants results in a hybrid that grows better and has higher yields than either of its parents. Hybrid vigor combines favorable traits from the parental lines, such as increased resistance to disease and greater uniformity in growth and maturation, which can significantly enhance harvesting.
It is important to note that while genetic modification has played a role in agriculture, particularly for traits such as disease and herbicide resistance, hybrid vigor does not require genetic engineering technology but can be achieved through traditional breeding practices. These methods have been used by farmers for thousands of years to select for desirable traits in crops. Thus, the exceptional productivity of hybrid corn is predominantly attributed to the enhanced performance resulting from hybrid vigor.