GM Sweet Potato

What is a virus resistant sweet potato?

Sweet potato has been genetically modified to contain a gene that encodes for the coat protein of the sweet potato virus. Expression of this gene in the resulting sweet potato renders the plants resistant to the virus. In other words, a gene from the pathogen is used to fight against the pathogen itself.

Why was it made?

Efficient methods to control the sweet potato virus disease (SPVD) are not available. Once the plant has been infected, it is impossible to control the virus. The use of chemicals against insect vectors is also not economically feasible for farmers in this part of the world. Thus, compared to other sweet potato-producing regions in the world, yield levels obtained in Kenya are low. Unfortunately, this problem is made worse by the neglect of national and international agricultural research on sweet potato. It is for these reasons that researchers in Kenya have resorted to biotechnology to help solve their problems.

How was it made?

SPVD is a complex of two different sweet potato viruses. Each of them alone is not considered a severe production constraint. It is only in interaction with one another that it becomes a serious problem. Virus resistant sweet potato was made by introducing into plant cells a gene for the coat protein of one of the viruses. This was done with the aid of a plant microbe that ferried in the gene.

Where was it made?

This project was launched in 1991/1992 by Monsanto Co. and the Kenya Agricultural Research Institute (KARI). The US Agency for International Development also contributed financial support to this effort. The basic research components of the project were carried out in Monsanto’s laboratories in collaboration with KARI scientists. Monsanto Co. developed the protein responsible for the virus resistance, and early this year, donated it to KARI, royalty free, to use in its sweet potato improvement program. In the next phase of this project, virus resistant sweet potatoes will be field-tested in Kenya and transgenic varieties will subsequently be released.

Related topics:

• Virus resistance
• VR technology
• Issues
• Relevant info
• Prospects
• FAQs

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