Publications: About ISAAA

Brazil-Pioneer Project Review

Diagnosing Maize Viruses in Brazil and Latin America with Proprietary Biotechnology Applications Transferred from Pioneer Hi-Bred International

In the early 1990s, scientists in Brazil became concerned about the growing spread of unidentified maize diseases in the crop's major production areas. Researchers at CNPMS at Sete Lagoas had previously seen virus-like symptoms in several maize varieties, but were unable to identify them. They had little information on the development of the diseases and were in need of reliable methods of detection. At risk was the country's nearly 15 million hectare crop. Its annual production of 30 million tons is valued at about US$ 700 million. Although total production meets today's Brazilian demand, the average maize yield at 1.8t/ha is very low. This reflects the lack of high-yielding varieties, use of better soils for other crops, and lack of technology.

At the same time, there were reports of new viruses spreading into Brazil from neighboring countries and from other areas of Latin America. Scientists from CIMMYT in Mexico had concluded that Brazil's problem was a higher prevalence of the corn stunt virus complex, probably the result of an increase in year-round cropping of maize. Because of the growing importance of the crop in Brazil and rapid spread of the diseases, a national virus detection program was given a high priority designation by the country's Agricultural Ministry. CNPMS officials had earmarked funding for staff training and project expenses.

The immediate need was a simple test to quickly identify the diseases under field conditions. "Once that was done," says Carlos Casella, a Brazilian project leader, "scientists could better understand the spread of the diseases, undertake control programs, and breed maize varieties with resistance to the viruses." Although some diseases can be visually diagnosed, many require laboratory testing that can take days and weeks to complete. As a result of advances in biotechnology, new products and techniques are now available that can replace time-consuming and sometimes inaccurate laboratory procedures.

Early in 1993, Brazilian officials contacted ISAAA for assistance. Following an intensive survey by ISAAA, and discussions with several potential donors of the technology, Pioneer Hi-Bred International of Johnston, Iowa, a corporate sponsor of ISAAA since 1992, was selected as the partner.

The project, brokered by ISAAA to assist Brazil, involved the development and donation by Pioneer of its proprietary ELISA technology for detection of viruses and training CNPMS scientists and technicians in laboratory and field techniques. Pioneer also agreed to organize and partly sponsor a three-week training program in Iowa for a Brazilian scientist on the development and application of ELISA diagnostic kits.

Among the three major diseases infecting Brazilian maize varieties are Corn Stunt Spiroplasm (CSS) and Rayado Fino (RF). These were selected by Brazil and Pioneer for initial study because of their prevalence in Brazil as well as in many other developing countries.

The production of enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays (ELISA) is a diagnostic kit in detecting viral diseases. These diagnostics are based on a method that uses antibodies to detect disease-causing organisms of plants.

In the summer and fall of 1993, Ellen Kulisek of Pioneer developed and perfected two assays to detect CSS and RF viruses and field tested them in Johnston. The antigens necessary to initiate antibody production were donated by the USDA. The following January, Kulisek trained 14 Brazilian scientists and technicians at the Sete Lagoas research headquarters on both laboratory and field use of the assay procedures for each of the two ELISAs. "The assays worked well," she says, "because they were sensitive enough to detect infected plants that were considered free of disease based on visual observation."

Later that year Carlos Casella of CNPMS benefited from a three-week ISAAA Biotechnology Fellowship at Pioneer on ELISA development. Meanwhile, CNPMS named a researcher from the in-country training course, Elizabeth de Oliveira, to head a new diagnostic program at Sete Lagoas. Pioneer's Kulisek says there is a strong potential for diagnostics in Brazil that "needs to be encouraged and supported. This requires not only financial support and commitment," she says, "but interested members of the scientific community who are committed and willing to donate their time to this education." It is noteworthy that the project -- sponsored by CNPMS and Pioneer -- had costs that were low compared with the value of the diagnostics.

Equipped with trained staff, CNPMS is now in a position to transfer this technology to others in Brazil, such as farmer cooperatives, seed companies, and NGOs, all of which would strengthen the nation's maize breeding, seed testing, production, and extension programs. It also set the stage for the transfer of the kits to other countries in Latin America. Indeed, plans are underway for a Latin American training workshop cosponsored by CNPMS-Pioneer Hi-Bred International-ISAAA from 20-24 May 1996 in Maize Disease Management at Sete Lagos in Brazil.

The objectives of that workshop are twofold. First, maize diseases of economic importance throughout Latin America will be reviewed to share knowledge and experiences about their occurrence and spread, as well as about management practices that have been successful. Second, a two-day, hands-on seminar will enable participants to learn the ELISA technology. This will be "technology transfer" to the end users, be they from the private or public sectors, from Brazil, or from neighboring countries. Participants will come from national programs in Bolivia, Colombia, and Mexico and from private companies including Brasalkalb, Pioneer Hi-Bred International, Cargill, Ciba, and Zeneca Seeds.

Kulisek said Pioneer's participation in the project was as part of its five-year commitment with ISAAA, and "not to create a scientific advantage for Pioneer in Brazil." The company, she said, has "long standing business interests in Brazil and will always be interested in agricultural efforts and trends there. The company has an established global program for humanitarian assistance."

Casella says there are biotechnology applications, many developed at great cost and owned chiefly by private companies, that developing countries cannot afford, but that are vital to their agricultural development. "Through the good offices of ISAAA," he says, "we were able to establish a partnership with Pioneer that will benefit both Brazil and Pioneer, as well as the environment and our neighbors."

Anatole Krattiger, Executive Director of ISAAA, says that pragmatic projects, such as the development and transfer of diagnostic technology from Pioneer to Brazil, are an effective means of building cooperation and trust between public and private sectors. "The success of this project," he says, "is also a result of the commitment by the country and the company to the technology and to the fact that it fulfilled a specific and important need for Brazil."

"With such need-driven pilot projects," Krattiger adds, "we hope to build new mechanisms beyond traditional technology flows that will open the possibility for larger biotechnology transfers for the benefit of resource-poor farmers and the environment."

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