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NewsGlobal[Top]
World food security and the challenges of climate change and bioenergy will be the main issues to be tackled during a high level international conference to be sponsored by the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) in Rome this June. Heads of State and government ministers are expected to discuss ways to assist countries and the international community to find sustainable solutions to these current concerns. The conference will:
Read more on the conference at http://www.fao.org/newsroom/en/focus/2008/1000829/index.html [ Send to a Friend | Rate this Article ] [Top]
Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) Director-General Jacques Diouf called the attention of the international community to the threats and opportunities brought about by high agricultural commodity prices in an opinion article published in the FAO website entitled, “Soaring food prices- threat or opportunity?”. He suggested a twin-track approach to solve the problem. First, is the creation of a favorable policy environment that would unite the private sector, farmers and traders. It would then be followed by programs that would ensure that small holder farmers have proper access to resources. Read the complete article at http://www.fao.org/newsroom/en/news/2008/1000832/index.html . To view the full statement, visit http://www.fao.org/newsroom/common/ecg/1000832/en/DGoped-soaringprices.doc . Africa[Top]
The International Fund for Agricultural Development’s (IFAD) Executive Board has approved a grant that will help establish FIDAfrique-IFADAfrica, a new knowledge network in sub-Saharan Africa. The network will connect people, organizations, development projects and programs, and other networks working to reduce rural poverty across sub-Saharan Africa so they can share experiences, mutual learning and innovation for rural poverty reduction. IFAD will contribute US$2 million in the US$3.9 million three-year program. The West Africa Rural Foundation (WARF), a foundation currently managing the Central and Western Africa knowledge network, FIDAfrique, will facilitate the use of the grant. FIDAfrique, has been involved in knowledge sharing, conservation agriculture promotion and cassava industry development among many other programs. Visit http://www.ifad.org/media/press/2008/27.htm or http://www.fidafrique.net/rubrique3.html for more information. Americas[Top]
Biotech crops have been planted in large scale in the United States since 1996 and plantings have increased to 57.7 million hectares in the U.S. and 114.3 million hectares globally. However, a systematic monitoring and mapping system is necessary to be able to discern the relative costs and benefits that accrued from the widespread planting of biotech crops. A paper published in the journal Science by noted experts in selected U.S. universities proposes strategies in data collection and mapping of the biotech crops planted in the U.S. The proposed strategy to the U.S. Department of Agriculture's (USDA) National Agricultural Statistical Service (NASS) includes: 1. Map biotech plantings in countries, states, or counties according to the appropriate scale to permit analyses that would indicate trade-offs in using biotechnology and at the same time, preserve privacy; 2. Make available to environmental scientists records regarding the specific transgenic varieties planted, whether single, stacked, etc. per area to discern whether a particular transgenic variety and its traits are associated with various environmental and biotic patterns; and 3. Link maps of agricultural practices with existing monitoring of birds, fish, and amphibians to examine associations between agricultural practices and trends in species abundances across both space and time. The authors believe that this approach will help to identify which agricultural practices maximize benefits to farmers and society while minimizing environmental risks. See article details at http://www.sciencemag.org/cgi/content/full/320/5875/452 [ Send to a Friend | Rate this Article ] [Top]
From studies of the succulent Kalanchoe plant, scientists from the USDA Agricultural Research Service Autar Matoo and Renu Deswal of the Botany Department University of Delhi have discovered that nitric oxide is important in regulating processes involved in seed germination and cell development. The research published in the Federation of European Biochemical Societies (FEBS) Journal website also details the involvement of nitric oxide in many important processes such as photosynthesis, sugar metabolism, disease tolerance and stress tolerance in plants. The scientists also found that nitric oxide, a sometime toxic product of nitrogen oxidation in soil can modify protein by a process called S-nitrosylation, a common regulatory reaction in plants and animals. Moreover, the chemical was also shown to inactivate the enzyme Rubisco, a major enzyme involved in carbon dioxide fixation and photosynthesis in plants. For details, see the article at: http://www.ars.usda.gov/is/pr/2008/080428.htm [ Send to a Friend | Rate this Article ] [Top]
Researchers from the University of California Davis have identified the genes responsible for the wide range of freezing temperatures that can be tolerated by different wheat varieties. Results of the study, reported in the current issue of the journal Plant Molecular Biology, provide insights for the understanding of winter injury, a major economic risk factor in producing wheat. The scientists found out that the genes that regulate frost-tolerance are activated at milder temperatures (11-15 degrees Celsius) in frost-tolerant wheat varieties than in frost-susceptible varieties. The identification of these genes is expected to enable breeders to develop hardier, more productive wheat varieties, which is of vital importance in light of growing pressures to increase global food production. Read the press release at http://www-pubcomm.ucdavis.edu/search/news_detail.lasso?id=8626 [ Send to a Friend | Rate this Article ] [Top]
According to new studies published by the journal Environmental Science and Technology, United States rice contains more methylated arsenic compared to the rice from Europe and Asia which has more inorganic arsenic. Arsenic is less poisonous in its methylated form. The two studies entitled “Arsenic Speciation in USA Grain and Implications for Human Health” and “Estimating Normal Levels of Total Arsenic in Rice Grain”, revealed that arsenic speciation varies with the type of rice. Moreover, scientists from Cornell University were able to categorize rice into dimethyl arsenic acid (DMA) and inorganic arsenic types. Results of the studies show that DMA rice type is likely to be less of a health risk than the inorganic type. Read full report at http://pubs.acs.org/subscribe/journals/esthag-w/2008/apr/science/bb_rice.html. The abstracts of the studies are available at http://pubs.acs.org/cgi-bin/abstract.cgi/esthag/asap/abs/es702747y.html and http://pubs.acs.org/cgi-bin/abstract.cgi/esthag/asap/abs/es702748q.html . [ Send to a Friend | Rate this Article ] [Top]
Monsanto Co. and Mendel Biotechnology are teaming up to develop grass varieties that will be ideal for use in producing ethanol and biodiesel. Under the terms of the agreement, Monsanto will be lending their crop testing, breeding and development expertise to Mendel's BioEnergy Seeds & Feedstocks unit. The companies will explore the potential of producing cellulosic biofuels from several perennial grass seed varieties. Cellulosic biofuels, which are made from leaves, stems, stalks or other typically non-edible parts of plants, have the potential to expand biofuel supply and thus help alleviate the demand for corn-based ethanol that is putting pressure on world stocks of food and feed. Mendel and Monsanto have previously worked together on the development of biotechnology traits in soy, canola and corn. Read the press release at http://monsanto.mediaroom.com/index.php?s=43&item=596 [ Send to a Friend | Rate this Article ] [Top]
Ceres, Inc., a U.S. based energy crop company, is set to market its agricultural seeds under the trade name Blade Energy Crops. "Blade will be the first multi-crop seed brand supplying the new market for non-food, low-carbon biofuel feedstocks," CEO Richard Hamilton said. He added that these biomass-dense crops will be grown as raw materials for next-generation biofuels and that they can thrive on agricultural lands that are not suited for food production. See http://www.ceres.net/News/NewsReleases/2008/04-29-08-News-Rel.html for more information. Asia and the Pacific[Top]
Australia’s Office of the Gene Technology Regulator (OGTR) has received a license application for the limited release of a genetically modified (GM) cotton line into the environment. OGTR received the application from the country’s Commonwealth Scientific and Research Organization (CSIRO). If approved, the release will take place in Narrabri, New South Wales, on a maximum area of 2 ha between October 2008 and June 2009. The transgenic line, also called MonoCott cotton, has been modified to improve the cotton seed oil properties for food use. It contains partial sequences of three cotton genes. Expression of these sequences is expected to silence corresponding genes in the parent plant resulting to altered fatty acid composition of cotton seeds. The cotton line also contains the antibiotic marker gene nptII. OGTR has prepared a Risk Assessment and Risk Management Plan which concludes that the release would not pose a significant risk to human health and safety to the environment. For more information visit http://www.ogtr.gov.au/ir/dir085.htm [ Send to a Friend | Rate this Article ] [Top]
Sesame, the familiar source of edible oil in Chinese and Vietnamese cuisine is also being developed to be a potential source of biodiesel. Sesame belongs to the Euphorbiacea family and is widely distributed in Africa, North America and the Caribbean. This perennial tree can grow up to 5 meters high and blossoms all the year round, especially in the rainy season. Oil is extracted from its seeds (containing 31-37% oil). The tree can be grown by seeds or raised from branches and it develops well in areas 500 meters above sea level. In Vietnam, wild sesame trees live in sandy areas in the Central Highlands province of Lam Dong and dry areas in Ninh Thuan province. [ Send to a Friend | Rate this Article ] [Top]
Ho Chi Minh City (HCMC) is gearing up to accelerate research and development projects on new kinds of energy and expects to market ethanol-blended gasoline by the end of 2009, says the director of the City Department of Science and Technology Phan Minh Tan. Authorities are working on a quality standard system to be applied to ethanol-blended gasoline. In addition, the city government had issued temporary incentives to facilitate the development of the biofuel industry. [ Send to a Friend | Rate this Article ] [Top]
Australian scientists from the Crop Biofactories Initiative (CBI) achieved a major advance by developing Arabidopsis plants accumulating up to 30 percent of an unusual fatty acid (UFA). UFAs are source of petrochemicals that are used in production of plastics, paints and cosmetics. With the potential of plants to produce high levels of UFAs, 'greener' oils sourced from plants could eventually replace petrochemicals in plastic production. According to Dr. Allan Green, crop development team leader of Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organization (CSIRO), the use of crops as ‘biofactories’ can open up more opportunities for bio-based products. “We are confident we have the right genes, an understanding of the biosynthesis pathways and the right breeding skills to produce an oilseed plant with commercially viable UFA levels in the near future,” he added. The CBI is a 12-year project jointly funded by CSIRO and the Grains Research and Development Corporation (GRDC) which aims to produce novel industrial compounds from genetically modified oilseed crops. To view complete article, see http://www.csiro.au/news/GreenPlasticsFromPlants.html . Europe[Top]
Currently, Bt maize is the only genetically modified crop authorized for commercial cultivation in the European Union. Spain, with over nine years of experience in Bt maize cultivation, is the European member state with the highest adoption rate for the biotech crop. A survey, published by the journal Nature Biotechnology, reports that farmers adopting Bt maize experienced higher average yields than conventional corn growers in certain regions in the country. The survey was conducted by researchers from the European Commission Joint Research Center and the University of Córdoba. The survey covered 195 farmers who grow Bt maize and 184 conventional maize growers. They were asked to provide information about yields, seed costs, maize prices obtained and use and costs of insecticides from 2002 to 2004. Significantly higher yield was recorded in the province of Zaragoza. The higher yield translates to higher incomes, since the farmers obtain the same price for fodder maize regardless of whether it is transgenic or not. Gross margin increase was as high as 122 euros (US $189) per hectare per year in Zaragoza. In other regions, however, profits were only marginal. The authors suggest that this might be due to the fact that Bt crops produce variable yield gains, depending mainly on local pest pressure and damage. The article is available at http://www.nature.com/nbt/journal/v26/n4/full/nbt0408-384.html For more information read http://www.gmo-safety.eu/en/news/630.docu.html [ Send to a Friend | Rate this Article ] [Top]
Notifications on the deliberate release into the environment of genetically modified (GM) for non-commercial use in Europe have been posted online. For this month, these include:
Visit for detailed information on each event http://gmoinfo.jrc.it/gmp_browse.aspx Research[Top]
Numerous systems have been devised over the last decade to develop plant biofactories producing recombinant pharmaceutical proteins. Scientists have successfully developed GM plants expressing antibodies, growth factors, hormones, cytokines, coagulation factors and vaccine antigens. Major advances have been made, in particular, in increasing transgene expression and elucidating the complex plant protein modification pathways. But the challenge of optimizing the yield and quality of recombinant proteins remains. Preventing unintended protein degradation is one of the ways to ensure satisfactory yield. However, this may prove to be difficult since recombinant proteins are generally less stable and have the tendency to produce multiple variants. A paper published by the Plant Biotechnology journal reviews the current strategies to minimize protein degradation in plant biofactories. These include:
A case-by-case assessment involving the use of different strategies remains necessary given the individual characteristics of the proteins being expressed and plant biofactories being exploited. The open access article is available at http://www.blackwell-synergy.com/doi/abs/10.1111/j.1467-7652.2008.00344.x [ Send to a Friend | Rate this Article ] [Top]
Sclerotinia is a plant pathogenic fungus that causes important diseases such as white mold, stem and leaf rot and stalk wilt, in more than 400 plant species. In oilseed rape, it causes rots of leaves and pods resulting to tremendous yield loss. No highly resistant cultivars of oilseed rape have been reported to date, and few genetic sources of resistance to the pathogen are available to breeders. Researchers from the Oil Crops Research Institute in China developed transgenic oilseed rape lines resistant to Sclerotinia. They introduced a gene, from wheat, which encodes the enzyme oxalate oxidase (OXO). OXO can neutralize oxalic acid, the key to Sclerotinia’s pathogenicity. The ‘detoxification’ reaction also produces hydrogen peroxide, a key elicitor of plant defense. The GM lines showed up to 91 percent disease reduction compared to its non-transgenic counterparts. The article published by the journal Planta is available at http://www.springerlink.com/content/85k3020164umn247/?p=f28c8e3cbfc34d5bb249e77acf714885&pi=0 [ Send to a Friend | Rate this Article ] [Top]
There has been a growing expectation that the biotech industry will deliver ‘second generation’ transgenic crops in the near future. Unlike first generation GM crops which involves manipulation of monogenic traits, such as herbicide tolerance and insect resistance, second generation crops will involve modification of traits under the control of multiple genes such as stress resistance and yield stability. Scientists involved in efforts to produce these crops will greatly benefit from recent discoveries in the field of genomics, including the availability of complete plant genome sequences. Transcription factors (TFs), proteins that regulate gene expression, are expected to be excellent candidates for modifying complex traits in crop plants. A new article published by the journal Plant Physiology reviews the prospects for modification of crops by regulating these transcription regulators. Modifying the activity of TFs involved in photosynthesis may lead to crops with increased yield. The same approach might be exploited to develop plants that are disease tolerant, stress resistant and nitrogen-use efficient. For instance, the HARDY gene has recently been shown to enhance drought tolerance and photosynthetic efficiency in transgenic rice. TF technologies, however, often require optimization, either to reduce unwanted side effects such as growth retardation or to enhance the desired trait to the level at which it is of commercial value. Read the article at http://www.plantphysiol.org/cgi/content/full/147/1/20 [Top]
AnnouncementsThe International Food Policy Research Institute (IFPRI) and the Program for Biosafety Systems will host three side events at the fourth meeting of the Conference of the Parties serving as the meeting of the Parties to the Cartagena Protocol on Biosafety (COP-MOP 4), in Bonn, Germany from May 12-16. These events are:
“A bioethics review on the development and application of agricultural science and technology for human welfare sustainability” is the theme of a National Seminar on Agricultural Bioethics in Indonesia on May 29, 2008 at the Indonesian Center for Agricultural Biotechnology and Genetic Resources Research and Development (ICABIOGRAD) , Indonesia. The seminar is organized by the Indonesian National Bioethics Commission, with the cooperation of the Indonesian Agency for Agricultural Research and Development (IAARD), State Ministry of Research and Technology, Ministry of Environment, Indonesian Breeding Association, Indonesia Society for Microbiology and Indonesian Society for Agricultural Biotechnology. Kanpur, India will be the site of the International Conference on Grain Legumes: Quality Improvement, Value Addition and Trade on February 14-19, 2009. The conference is being organized by the Indian Society of Pulses Research and Development, and the Indian Institute of Pulses Research. A copy of the first announcement is at http://www.icar.org.in/internconference.pdf A Thai version of the Crop Biotech Update (CBU), the weekly e-newsletter of the Global Knowledge Center on Crop Biotechnology is now available for downloading at http://www.isaaa.org/kc. The Biofuels Supplement is also translated every two weeks and appears along with the CBU. The CBU is also available in Arabic, Bahasa Indonesia, Bangla, Chinese (Mandarin), French, Italian, Portuguese, Spanish, Vietnamese, and Thai.. |
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