Biotech Updates

China and Australia Collaborate to Produce Super Brassicas

December 21, 2007

Scientists from the Zhejiang and Huazhong University in China and University of Western Australia (UWA) will collaborate to produce new brassica varieties for increased oil seeds and vegetable production. Brassica is a plant genus belonging to the mustard family. Members of the genus include cabbage, cauliflower, oilseed rape and broccoli. China is one of the world’s top rapeseed producer with about 13 million metric ton produced in 2005.

The researchers will focus on the development of stress-resistant and high yielding brassica varieties. They are also looking into the possibility of obtaining hybrids resistant to the blackleg and white rust disease, diseases that seriously affect brassica cultivation worldwide.

For more information read the December newsletter of UWA at http://www.ioa.uwa.edu.au/__data/page/124085/IOA_DEC_07large2.pdf