Crop Biotech Update

June 13, 2018

Kenya Starts Planting Biotech Cotton Under National Performance Trials

Kenya is one step away from commercializing Bt cotton following the commencement of National Performance Trials (NPTs) to identify suitable varieties for different agro-ecological zones. This comes after the National Environmental Management Authority (NEMA) granted an Environmental Impact Assessment license to Kenya Agricultural Livestock and Fisheries Organization (KALRO) to undertake the trials.

FAO Lists 20 Tools for Transforming Food and Agriculture to Achieve SDGs

The Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) has released a set of 20 inter-connected actions designed to show the impact that sustainable agriculture can have on tackling the world's greatest challenges.

Genetically Engineered Rice Transports Micronutrients More Efficiently

Researchers from ETH Zurich led by Navreet Bhullar from the Institute of Molecular Plant Biology have genetically modified (GM) one of the most commonly grown varieties of rice. The ETH researchers developed rice lines with iron increases equaling more than 90% of the recommended iron content and up to 170% of the recommended content for zinc in rice grains.

Researchers Find Potential Fusarium Wilt Resistance Gene in Tomato

The reduced mycorrhizal colonization (rmc) tomato mutant is unable to form mycorrhiza and is more susceptible to Fusarium wilt. The rmc mutant has a chromosomal deletion affecting five genes, one of which is similar to CYCLOPS. Loss of this gene is the cause for non-mycorrhizality in rmc, but not the enhanced Fusarium wilt susceptibility.

NEWS FROM AROUND THE WORLD

RESEARCH HIGHLIGHTS

PLANT BREEDING INNOVATIONS

GM APPROVAL UPDATES

The USA approved sugarcane event CTC91087-6 for food and feed.
The USA approved maize event DBN9858 for food and feed.
The USA approved potato event Gen2-Z6 for food and feed.
The USA approved cotton MON88702 for cultivation.
The USA approved petunia event A1-DFR for cultivation.
The USA approved maize event PY203 for cultication.

Visit GM APPROVAL DATABASE

The Crop Biotech Update is a weekly newsletter of ISAAA, a non-for-profit organization. The CBU is distributed for free to over 23,000 subscribers worldwide to inform them about the key developments in biosciences, especially in agricultural biotechnology. Your support will help us in our mission to feed the world with knowledge. You can help by donating as little as $10.

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