Dr Michael Metzlaff looking at canola cultures in a petri dish. His team is looking into the RNA interference technique to reduce PARP production in plants that are exposed to environmental stresses Photo: Bayer CropScience

Bayer CropScience is working to create plants that can withstand environmental change by modifying their existing DNA without introducing foreign genes.

Bayer has addressed the damage abiotic factors, such as heat, drought and flooding, cause to large percentages of crop yields by utilising RNA interference to help reduce environmental effects.

When faced with environmental stresses, plants use procyclic acidic repetitive protein (PARP) to help repair DNA and shield cells from damage.  The protein is often over-produced, which can then result in depleted energy resources and a reduced crop yield.  RNA interference can be used to reduce PARP production. This results in the plant stress response being toned down without being stopped, which allows energy to be retained for growth whilst still protecting the plant.

The technique makes use of genes and proteins found naturally in plants, removing the need to incorporate foreign elements and avoiding ethical arguments regarding “unnatural” modification. "It's not classical GM," Michael Metzlaff, head of Bayer’s crop productivity research group, notes.

RNA interference also targets specific plants by using tailored PARP genetic sequences, which utilise genetic sequences only found in the plant being studied. This limits the possibility of the RNA molecule spreading and harming other species nearby.

Scientists first tested the technique in mustard cress, favoured as it is easy to grow and manipulate. The modified cress showed an increase in yield of between 10–20% compared with normal cress when subjected to heat, drought and cold. In extreme cases, up to 44% improvement was noted in growth. "The plants are more relaxed," Metzlaff explains. "They can lean back and just do what they have to do."

Field trials have been undertaken with oilseed rape and canola, and cotton and rice are currently being tested. If successful, the hardier plants could be modified to cope with climate change brought about by global warming, aiding crop survival.
By Rebecca Debens

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