Biotech Updates

KSU and Monsanto Collaborate to Develop Better Wheat Varieties

June 25, 2010

Kansas State University and Monsanto have announced their partnership towards developing better wheat varieties. According to Gary Pierzynski, the interim dean of the K-State College of Agriculture, the partnership will benefit Kansas wheat growers because there would be wider wheat breeding programs from public and private sectors. The collaboration would also give them the chance to pick specific genetic markers to improve pest resistance and grain quality characteristics. Allan Fritz, another K-State professor, also noted that the partnership would help the enhanced varieties to get to the market faster.

"Kansas State researchers have a wealth of experience and knowledge in the field, and with our proven breeding technology experience, we see this collaboration as an excellent opportunity to produce successful new wheat varieties," said Sean Gardner, Monsanto's global commercial wheat lead.

View the news release at http://www.wkarc.org/DesktopDefault.aspx.