Non-GM super wheat

August 2011

... all across Central Asia, the Middle East and North Africa

Photo from Baluchistan on Flickr

If you've already read about GM WHEAT IN THE UK (July 2011) or GM WHEAT IN AUSTRALIA (August 2011), you'll have realised that neither of these GM varieties are necessary: natural aphid-resistant wheat strains already exist but have been by-passed in favour of GM (patentable) versions; roughage in the diet is plentiful if you eat the right things and its presence alone does not prevent cancer, but dietary issues have been by-passed in favour of GM (patentable) versions.

The notion that GM is simpler, quicker and more certain than conventional crop development should finally be laid to rest by the news of the release of the latest conventionally-bred wheat variety. This could and should revolutionise wheat production across Central Asia, the Middle East and North Africa.



The new, non-GM super-wheat is resistant to two devastating forms of fungal infection and has up to 15% yield improvement. These two diseases, stem rust fungus Ug99 and yellow or stripe rust, are wind-borne, and cause wide-spread damage which can wipe out 40% of the harvest. The new varieties do no contain a simplistic single extra gene as in the British GM aphid-repellent strains, but have several genes which together provide the plant with a varied and effective defense. The wheat is especially relevant to developing countries because farmers there don't have access to the fungicides available to deal with the fungal problem.

The wheat expert who bred the fungus-resistant strain pointed out that one of the biggest obstacles in bringing his new wheat to the people is the lack of appropriate seed distribution infrastructure. This problem will only be remedied if national governments, helped by international bodies, take action to promote the changes needed. And, if wheat is kept free from the meddling of the biotech industry.

OUR COMMENT

Our UK Department for International Development (DFID) could do a huge amount to bring the benefits of the new, non-GM, fungal-resistant wheat to many developing countries. Try asking it.

SOURCE

Naomi Antony, 'Super wheat' resists devastating rust, www.scidev.net, 17.06.11