In
This Issue:
ASA RELEASES
ITS FIRST EVER CONSERVATION TILLAGE STUDY
The American Soybean Association (ASA) has released the results of its first-ever
conservation tillage study. The study, conducted by a local firm nationally
recognized for their expertise in conducting agricultural studies involving
farmers, shows that soybean seeds enhanced through biotechnology have allowed
and encouraged farmers to implement reduced tillage practices that protect
farmland from wind and rain erosion. A total of 452 farmers in 19 midwestern
and southern states participated in the study.
Some highlights of the study:
* 73% of the growers are leaving more crop residue on the soil surface than
they did in 1996 before the introduction of biotech soybeans
* Almost half (48%) of the growers in the study said that they have increased
their no-till soybean acres during the last 6 growing seasons.
* During 1996-2001, no-till soybean acres have more than doubled to 49% of
total soybean acres, and reduced till acres have increased by one-fourth, to
account for another 33% of soybean acres
* 53% of the growers said they are making fewer tillage passes in soybeans.
Reduced tillage practices in soybeans saved 247 million tons of irreplaceable
topsoil in 2000, and reduced the number of times a farmer had to run equipment
over the field, saving 234 million gallons of fuel
For the entire report, please visit http://www.soygrowers.com/
file_depot/0-10000000/
0-10000/735/folder/9709/Consv_Till_Study_11_01.pdf
CHINA DATABASE
ON FOOD ALLERGENS
The Agricultural Molecular Biology Laboratory (AgMoBiol) of Peking University
has set up a database of food allergens. The database can carry out homologous
comparisons of transgenic food and known food allergens' amino acid sequences.
It also contains the relevant literature, experimental techniques of food allergens,
as well as the proceedings of research in pollen allergy.
The database can be accessed though the following website http://ambl.lsc.pku.edu.cn. More
information can be obtained by sending an email to Zhongping Lin of Peking
University, Beijing,China (linzp@pku.edu.cn).
GM ENZYMES
MAY BE KEY TO DEFEAT CHEMICAL WARFARE
Enzymes - proteins commonly used to speed up chemical reactions - have the
ability to render chemical warfare agents and insecticides harmless by breaking
them apart. Chemists at Texas A&M University are now working on one of
these enzymes, phosphotriesterase, to make it both faster and more selective.
Phosphotriesterase is known for its detoxifying properties of chemical warfare
agents such as the nerve agents, sarin, soman, and VX, as well as agricultural
insecticides.
"We know that some natural enzymes have detoxifying properties, so we are trying
to make them faster, better, and cheaper," says Frank Raushel, one of the scientists
working on this project. He, together with scientists from the University of
Wisconsin, have been trying to find the fastest detoxifying enzymes by doing
optimal genetic changes.
INDIA TO
INCREASE BIOTECH SUPPORT
The Indian Government through its Planning Commission has formed a taskforce
to advise on the possibilities of encouraging research in biotechnology. KC
Pant, Deputy Chairman of the Planning Commission, revealed this development
at a symposium "Hundred Years of Post-Mendelian Genetics and Plant Breeding
Retrospect and Prospects" organized by the Indian Society of Genetics and Plant
Breeding.
Pant said scientific achievements in genetics and biotechnology were bound
to have significant impact on agriculture, medicine and environment. The need
was to efficiently blend these frontier technologies with the conventional
strategies to ensure that it effectively serves mankind. He said risk minimization
strategies have been the central element in traditional agricultural practices
and sudden exposure to market forces and commercial considerations can be counterproductive.
ISABELA BT
CORN TRIALS PRODUCE GOOD HARVEST
Monsanto Philippines reports that three trial sites to test Bacillus thuringiensis
corn in Isabela had very high yields compared to earlier pilot trial sites
in General Santos City. Arnold Estrada, product development manager of Monsanto,
said that the yield increase is "even higher than the 50-70 percent yield outputs
in initial field trials."
Trial sites were located in the towns of Ilagan, Echague, and Cauayan City.
The Bt corn plants were found to be highly resistant to the Asiatic corn borer.
Estrada noted that the good harvest can also be attributed to the rich soil
in the province.
K SHEETS
NOW AVAILABLE ONLINE
K Sheets or Knowledge Sheets are now available online at http://www.isaaa.org/kc. These
are packaged information on crop biotechnology products and related issues
produced by the Global Knowledge Center on Crop Biotechnology.
A series of one-page synthesis of international reports, statements, and endorsements
are available to update readers on latest pronouncements that have implications
for crop biotechnology in developing countries. Sectors that have publicly
supported biotechnology include Asian Development Bank, Food and Agriculture
Organization, the United Nations and Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation leaders.
There is also a write-up of the European Commission Review on biosafety research
on genetically modified organisms. An upcoming topic is on the Catholic Church
and biotechnology.
ANNOUNCEMENT
The International
Service for the Acquisition of Agri-biotech Applications (ISAAA)
is inviting nominations and applications for the position of Director
of ISAAA's AfriCenter, located in Nairobi, Kenya. The director is
expected to lead efforts at formulating a portfolio of crop biotechnology
transfer projects that meets priority national and regional needs
of partner countries in Africa.
Other details about the background, experience and qualities of the Director
are available at the ISAAA
website. Nominations and applications should be addressed to: Dr.
Randy A. Hautea, Global Coordinator of ISAAA, Collaborators' Center, IRRI,
Los Baņos, Laguna, Philippines (email: r.hautea@isaaa.org). |
