Biotech Updates

EMBRAPA Launches New Herbicide Tolerant Soybean Varieties

June 5, 2008

The Brazilian Agricultural Research Corporation (EMBRAPA) , with the Livestock and Agriculture Ministry, launched two new transgenic soybean varieties (BRS 278RR and BRS 279RR) for the north and northeast regions of Brazil. Pedro Moreira, a researcher from EMBRAPA Soja noted that these new glyphosate tolerant varieties are ideal for these regions where “weed problems” are prevalent. The new GM lines produce yield comparable to commercial varieties. BRS 278RR can be cultivated even at higher altitudes (above 400 meters). BRS 278RR, on the other hand, is resistant to the root knot and soybean cyst nematodes, pests that severely limit production in the region.

Read the article (in Portuguese) at http://www.cnpso.embrapa.br/noticia/ver_noticia.php?cod_noticia=455