Cane Technology Center (CTC), a research organisation based in
the state of Sao Paulo, Brazil is conducting field trials to test three
varieties of genetically modified cane. According to CTC, these GM
plants have been modified to exhibit sucrose levels 15% higher than
those of ordinary sugarcane - for now, under laboratory conditions.
However, if field trials are successful, the company may bring these
plants to the market by the end of the decade. Scientists and engineers
think that the ethanol yield of sugarcane can be doubled from 6000
litre/ha to more than 12,000 litre/ha within the next 15 years.
Other biotech companies
in Brazil also are interested in the potentially large market of GM
sugarcanes and they are awaiting approval from the Brazilian
authorities to conduct field trials with several sugarcane varieties.
University of Queensland, Australia, has applied to the Gene Technology
regulator of the Australian government for a limited and controlled
release of GM sugarcane.
The Bureau of Sugar Experiment Stations Ltd is
seeking to introduce mainly four modified traits: shoot architecture
(shoot number, stalk size, and height), water use efficiency, nitrogen
use efficiency and marker gene expression (antibiotic resistance and
reporter genes).
The proposed trial will take place in 15 sites in
Queensland between September 2008 and December 2014, and will involve
experiments to assess the agronomic properties of the GM sugarcane
under field conditions and to analyse sugar production and quality.
Promising lines would be selected for propagation for possible future
commercial development, subject to further approvals.
Results of the trial will be the basis for future
commercial developments and for the possibility of using the transgenic
lines in future breeding programmes. The GM sugarcane in this trial
will not be consumed by humans nor by livestock. Currently, a
comprehensive Risk Assessment and Risk Management Plans are being
prepared, which will be released for public comment soon.
© 2008: Indian Express Newspapers (Mumbai) Ltd.
