Crop Biotechnology: Harvesting the Benefits
Crop biotechnology is playing an integral role in the evolution of agriculture. From genetic engineering to improve plant varieties, to more effective and environmentally sustainable methods of fertilization and weed control – the range of applications is extensive and expanding continuously. These technologies allow for many improvements in the quantity and quality of food produced.
Reaping the Rewards of Biotechnology
Much of crop biotechnology relies on processes involving the identification and modification of plant genes (the DNA sequence which codes for an organism's characteristics). By breeding plants selected for specific genetic traits scientists can increase the performance potential of crops.
Genetically engineered plant varieties can offer farmers crops that are less vulnerable to pests and weather conditions. Consumers benefit from food products with added flavour and nutrition. Genes for traits such as drought tolerance or resistance to insect pests can be transferred from one variety to another. Genes can also be transferred from other plant species, or even from microorganisms or animals.
Crop scientists use a variety of other genetically-based breeding methods to produce plants which are resistant to disease, insects, and herbicides. Some examples include:
- Molecular marking: This is a biotech-enhanced version of the long-established practice of selective breeding. Certain DNA sequences, called molecular markers, are located near genes for desirable traits. These distinctive patterns act like 'genetic bookmarks', enabling scientists to detect the targeted traits in the genetic blueprints of seedlings. Thus scientists can quickly and accurately predict whether a plant contains the trait long before it reaches maturity.
- Doubled haploid technology: This technology enables breeders to rapidly produce large numbers of homozygous, or true breeding, plants. Embryos of double haploid plants are grown under laboratory conditions which ensure that they develop genes identical to the those of the previous generation. Not only does this technique guarantee consistency of the plant variety, but it also facilitates genetic modification. This technology was used to produce Mackenzie wheat, the first North American wheat variety developed through the use of doubled haploid biotechnology. Mackenzie wheat was developed by the Saskatchewan Wheat Pool using technology transferred from the Plant Biotechnology Institute in Saskatoon.
Biotechnology has also resulted in the development of a number of other modern agricultural processes. Among these are:
- biofertilizers and biopesticides which substitute for chemical products;
- micropropagation (a method of mass-producing identical, disease-free plants); and
- diagnostics a means of identifying plant diseases.
Crops with "novel traits" approved for use in Canada:
- CORN
Herbicide tolerant corn (6 types)
Insect resistant corn (4 types)
Insect resistant & herbicide tolerant corn (2 types)
Hybridized corn system - CANOLA
Herbicide tolerant canola (6 types)
Specialty oil canolas (3 types)
Hybridized canola system - TOMATO (approved but not grown in Canada)
Delayed ripening tomato (2 types)
Reduced pectin degradation tomato (1 type) - POTATO
Potato Beetle resistant potato (1 type) - SOYBEAN
Herbicide tolerant soybean (1 type) - COTTON (approved for import into Canada)
Insect-resistant cotton (2 types)
Herbicide resistant cotton (2 types) - FLAX (approved but not grown commercially)
Herbicide tolerant flax (1 type) - SQUASH
Virus resistant squash (1 type)
All plants produced through crop biotechnology are rigorously tested and subject to federal regulations.
Fields of Dreams: New and Upcoming Crops
- "Diet" bread: By modifying wheat starch to resist digestion, researchers are developing a naturally low-calorie bread. So-called "diet" bread is sure to find a market among the health-conscious.
- Finer vines: A transgenic variety of wine grape with genes for improved frost tolerance is currently under development.
- Edible human vaccines to help the medicine go down: Progress is being made in the production of vaccines which can be ingested in genetically engineered foods such as tomatoes, potatoes or bananas. Such food-based vaccines may be particularly useful in the developing world.
- A better brew: Researchers are working to develop a genetically decaffeinated coffee bean, which could produce a brew as flavourful as regular coffee.
- Pulp potions: Certain phytochemicals (plant chemicals) may provide protection against chronic illnesses. For instance, fruits like tomatoes and blueberries are genetically designed with increased levels of the antioxidants lycopene and lutein which may provide protection against, respectively, coronary heart disease and reduced vision.
The future of crop biotechnology holds an abundance of possibilities. In addition to the above, a multitude of useful biotech crops are in the works: foods made with edible packaging derived from wheat starch, a type of naturally blue cotton, fruit which does not turn brown when cut or bruised, trees which produce biodegradable plastic. These promise to provide producers and consumers with the options needed to sustain and improve their health.
Genetically engineered commodities currently grown in Canada include:
| Crop | % Genetically Engineered | Reason |
|---|---|---|
| canola | 50% | herbicide tolerant |
| corn | 25% | herbicide tolerant |
| soybeans | 5% | herbicide tolerant |
| potatoes | 15% | pest resistant |
For more information on crop biotechnology, please contact:
Saskatchewan Agricultural Biotechnology Information Centre (SABIC)
c/o Ag-West Biotech Inc.
101 - 111 Research Drive
Saskatoon, Saskatchewan Canada S7N 3R2
Telephone: 306-668-2660
Fax: 306-975-1966
E-mail: agwest@agwest.sk.ca
Web: http://www.agwest.sk.ca
This project has been made possible with the support of the Canada-Saskatchewan Agri-Food Innovation Fund (AFIF)
Produced by: The Signature Group Inc., Saskatoon, SK