Research 'in people's backyards' may help increase acceptance

By MATTHEW WEAVER

Capital Press

British researchers will test genetically modified wheat for aphid resistance.

The United Kingdom's Department of Environment, Food and Rural Affairs has approved a scientific trial of wheat genetically modified to resist aphids in 2012 and 2013.

Rothamsted Research scientists have produced wheat plants that deploy a natural defense used in mint and hops, which protect themselves with a substance that repels aphids.

"This method not only helps to control aphids, but does so in a sustainable and environmentally friendly way, without having to use pesticides," Maurice Moloney, Rothamsted Research director of research, said in a press release.

Jim Peterson, vice president of research for Limagrain, said the trial is an important step for genetically modified wheat. It's a move toward creating comfort and confidence in genetic modification work and researchers' ability to use the traits properly, he said.

"Having the traits done in the United Kingdom where there's a lot of opposition to GM work is important," Peterson said. "It needs to be done in people's backyards, so to speak."

Peterson said there's no "magic trait" to open the door to worldwide acceptance of genetically modified wheat. It will likely take a combination of traits to show value and help drive the market open, he said.

A genetically modified commercial wheat release is still many years away, Peterson said. The conversation between the industry and consumers has to be open and honest to create support for commercialization, he said.

"Most likely the traits that are going to come out first are those that will help reduce inputs and input costs," he said. "Those are pretty easy to adopt quickly in any management scenario."

Sanford Eigenbrode leads an aphid tracking network effort at the University of Idaho.

It's possible the "cutting edge" British experiment could have bearing in the Pacific Northwest, he said. The project has potential, especially if climate models indicate increased aphid pressure in the future.

"It's great technology, it's ecological, it's green and it has potential, but we need to see the fieldwork done," he said.

If it works, Rothamsted is a public institution, and the Northwest shares some of the same types of aphids. He expects the technology would be tested by breeders in the region, he said.

"I think it's exciting that the Rothamsted team is going to try this at a field scale," he said.

Online

DEFRA: www.defra.gov.uk

Rothamsted Research: www.rothamsted.bbsrc.ac.uk