Crop Tech Corner

Protein-Boosting Gene Holds Promise

Emily Unglesbee
By  Emily Unglesbee , DTN Staff Reporter
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A gene found only in one plant could increase the protein content of three major crops: corn, soybeans and rice. (DTN photo by Nick Scalise)

ST. LOUIS (DTN) -- This bi-monthly column condenses the latest news in the field of crop technology, research and products.

UNIQUE PROTEIN-BOOSTING GENE DISCOVERED

A number of major crops stand to benefit from a single gene found only in a little flowering plant called Arabidopsis. According to a university news release, Iowa State researchers first discovered the QQS gene, which regulates the protein content in Arabidopsis seeds and leaves, in 2004. They spent years using biotechnology methods to transplant it into rice, corn, and soybeans and recently published a paper on the results. "We've found that introducing this gene to plants such as corn, rice and soybean increases protein without affecting yields," one of the Iowa State scientists, Ling Li, said in the press release.

Li and her colleague, Iowa State geneticist Eve Syrkin Wurtele, are hopeful the discovery can be used to add protein to the diets of people living in third world countries but are worried that the transgenic nature of their work will stall that possibility. They are working on additional, non-transgenic avenues as a result. One such method involves overexpressing the protein that QQS targets, which the researchers hope will have the same protein-boosting effect of transplanting QQS, while dodging regulatory hold-ups.

To read more about the gene and its discovery, see the Iowa State press release here: http://bit.ly/…, and the study abstract here: http://bit.ly/….

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PLENISH MOVES WEST

Pioneer's specialty high-oleic soybeans are headed to the Cornhusker State in 2016. The beans are genetically engineered to produce oil that has no trans fats, lower linolenic levels and produce higher levels of oleic acid than commodity soybeans. Last year, farmers in the eastern soybean belt (Ohio, Indiana, Maryland, Delaware and Pennsylvania) grew 200,000 acres of the beans, and now the company is putting out varieties designed for more western growers. Specifically, select growers near AGP's Hastings, Nebraska, soybean processing plant and refinery will have the opportunity to grow the beans, according to a company press release. Plenish beans are still awaiting international import approval from the EU, which is expected in 2016, Pioneer spokesperson Jane Slusark told DTN. (The other pending biotech high oleic soybean, Monsanto's Vistive Gold bean, is in similar straits. "We are still waiting on import approval from China. We still do anticipate gaining approval by the end of the year," Monsanto spokesperson Lindsay Dario told DTN.)

In the meantime, Pioneer will continue to offer Plenish growers premiums to offset the extra work of keeping them out of the commodity stream. Growers can either receive 50 cents per bushel to produce and store the beans separate from any conventional grain or they can receive 40 cents per bushel for a harvest delivery contract. The company hopes to double its Plenish acreage in 2016, Slusark said.

For more information on Plenish's foray into Nebraska, see the Pioneer press release here: http://bit.ly/….

ROOTWORM TRAIT ADVANCES

Seed companies continue to work to stay one step ahead of corn rootworms. In late October USDA deregulated Monsanto's next generation rootworm trait, MON 87411. In early November, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) also granted registration for the trait, which marks the final approval necessary to support full food, feed and environmental authorization in the U.S.

Monsanto corn communication lead Jeff Neu said MON 87411, also known as Corn Rootworm III, builds on biotechnology products currently planted by farmers by adding a new RNA-mediated mode-of-action to a pyramid of traits that will be called SmartStax PRO. A full commercial launch is planned by the end of the decade, pending further regulatory approvals, which include global approvals and registration submission to EPA for the stack of traits.

The product takes advantage of the naturally occurring RNA degradation pathway, known as RNAi, present in the corn rootworm cells. It is distinct from the Bt-protein-based genetic controls currently used to manage corn rootworm. Including multiple modes of action enhances the level of pest control and helps prolong the usefulness of the trait.

For more information on the trait's regulatory approvals, see the USDA deregulation documents here: http://1.usa.gov/….

Emily Unglesbee can be reached at emily.unglesbee@dtn.com

Follow Emily Unglesbee on Twitter @Emily_Unglesbee

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Emily Unglesbee