Findings from the trials were published in the November 27 issue of Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences journal

The US plant biotechnology company, Arcadia Biosciences (Davis, California), has successfully completed its first field trial for genetically modified drought-tolerant crops. GM tobacco test crops designed to withstand drought achieved significantly higher yields under dry conditions than traditional crops, whilst yields remained similar for both in a non-drought environment.

President and CEO of Arcadia, Eric Rey, stresses the importance of the development. “Global warming and diminishing availability of fresh water resources are two of the most critical environmental issues our planet faces,” he explains. “Development of crops that can thrive using significantly less water can have a massive positive impact on food production as we wrestle with our growing global population, the reduction in available farmland, and a warming planet.”

The crops fit into Arcadia’s green portfolio, helping to reduce agriculture’s carbon footprint. They also enable future harvests to adapt to climate change, and can be used alongside Arcadia’s nitrogen efficiency and salt tolerance technologies.

Arcadia estimates that its drought-tolerant crops could be commercially available by 2016.
Research was led by the University of California, which is currently pending a patent application for the technology. Findings from the trials were published in the November 27 issue of Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences journal.
By Rebecca Debens

> Not a subscriber? Subscribe

MORE NEWS ON BIOTECHNOLOGY

Australian application for abiotic tolerant wheat and barley
 Arcadia completes first field trial for drought-tolerant crops
‘Climate-ready’ crops for developing world