San Diego, California
June 24, 2008
Source:
Council for Biotechnology Information (CBI)
Experts
predict that the current consumption rate of water for
agriculture is not sustainable and that by 2025 two out of three
people will live in drought or water-stressed conditions.1
In addition, erratic weather patterns and the possibility of
warmer temperatures from climate change will increase the threat
of crop failures and food shortages.
Fortunately, research in agricultural biotechnology holds the
promise of high yield crops that will be able to withstand
environmental stresses.
Speaking at
the BIO International Convention in San Diego on a panel hosted
by the Council for
Biotechnology Information (CBI), Dr. Chris Zinselmeier,
Program Leader for Water Optimization Technologies for Syngenta,
stated, "We are seeing very positive results in experimental
lines of plants under drought conditions and can be optimistic
about bringing these plants to market in the next decade."
The panel
discussed ongoing research and achievements of biotechnology in
the development of crops that have a greater tolerance for water
scarcity.
Dr.
Zinselmeier was joined on the panel by Dr. Michael Metzlaff,
Group Leader for Crop Productivity Research for Bayer Inc.; Dr.
Randy Allen, Departments of Biological Sciences and Plant and
Soil Sciences at Texas Tech University; and Dr. Gail McLean,
National Program Leader, Biotechnology Risk Assessment Grants
Program of the U.S. Department of Agriculture.
Dr. Allen
stated, "We are taking on the challenge of developing crops that
will provide farmers with the best traits of both high yields
and tolerance to stress. I believe we have seen significant
progress in that research."
For more
than a decade, farmers have used plants improved through
biotechnology to help combat environmental stresses such as
insects and weeds. Today, researchers in agricultural
biotechnology are developing a new generation of plants that are
optimized to maintain yield capacity through periods of water
scarcity. In effect, these plants will have the ability to use
water more efficiently, producing "more crop per drop" of water.
Field
testing for the development of drought-tolerant corn, cotton,
canola and other crops is well underway and preliminary results
have been positive. Such developments could result in improved
yields in variable or dry years, less need for irrigation in
normal years and better yields on land previously considered
marginal for cost-effective production.
Every year,
drought causes reduced crop yields across the globe. In the
United States, one-third of corn acres suffer from
yield-reducing drought stress.
Underlining
the critical importance of development of drought resistant
crops, Dr. Metzlaff stated, "The increased tolerance of crops to
major environmental stresses and the enhancement of productivity
will be critical as water scarcity and the world population
grows. We must continue to develop plants that withstand short
term stresses, increase yield stability and allow planting in
high stress areas."
*
Coping with Water Scarcity,
United Nations Water Scarcity Initiative, p. 2, August 2006.
The
Council for Biotechnology Information communicates science-based
information about the benefits and safety of agricultural and
food biotechnology. Its members are the leading agricultural
biotechnology companies. Plant biotechnology is already helping
the world grow more and better food. It is also producing
greater yields of crops used to produce biofuels to help meet
our country’s energy needs. In addition, the development of
drought-tolerant crops is helping farmers cope with drought and
water shortages, in order to better preserve and manage our
water resources. This new technology holds even more promise for
a sustainable future in each of these areas.
For more
information about biotechnology and drought,
click here. |
