Monsanto SA receives general release permit for maize containing both insect resistance and herbicide tolerance traits.

March, 2007 - Monsanto SA has just received general release permit clearance in terms of the GMO Act of 1997. We applied via the Directorate Genetic Resources of National Department of Agriculture for the general release of genetically modified maize that contains two traits in the same hybrid (stacked hybrid). The traits concerned are insect resistance and herbicide tolerance (MON810 x NK603).

The new combined hybrids are developed using conventional breeding techniques by crossing two parent lines each containing one of the traits to produce hybrids that contain both traits (Yieldgard® [insect resistance] and Roundup Ready® [herbicide tolerance]). Both Yieldgard® and Roundup Ready® hybrids have been commercially available in South Africa for several years. (See * Notes)

Whereas maize plants are susceptible to non-selective Roundup® herbicide formulations, the new stack hybrid contains a gene that expresses a protein, 5 - enolpyruvylshikimate - 3 - phosphate synthase (EPSPS). The gene is derived from a bacterium (Agrobacterium spp.).This gene produces EPSPS protein that allows the maize plant to tolerate applications of Roundup® Ready Plus herbicide. Growers are able to use this reliable, environmentally friendly and cost effective herbicide treatment, which will be effective for the control of weeds.

At the same time, the hybrid also contains the cry1Ab gene, which encodes for the insecticidal active protein B.t.k. delta endo toxin. This gene is derived from the common soil microbe Bacillus thuringiensis subsp. kurstaki and the protein it expresses has activity on insects belonging to the Order Lepidoptera and more specifically Busseola fusca and Chilo partellus, both maize stalk borers.

In addition to this outstanding news we have also received General Release approval for MON 88913 (Roundup Ready® Flex) cotton varieties. This allows the cotton farmer the flexibility to be able to spray, over the cotton canopy for the control of late germinating weeds using Roundup® Ready Plus herbicide formulation.

Monsanto’s research and development pipeline is focused on developing new agricultural traits and crop varieties that provide benefits to both growers and consumers. Monsanto invests more than $500 million annually to identify and develop new solutions for growers – looking at ways to keep growers at the forefront of a competitive global market. These products are aimed at helping growers maintain a competitive edge in the agricultural marketplace and delivering benefits to the grower.
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Enquiries can be directed to:
Magda du Toit, Communication Manager, Monsanto SS Africa
Mobile: 27 82 388 0187
Tel: 27 11 790 8254
Fax: 27 11 790 8362
Magda.du.toit@monsanto.com

Notes:

YieldGard®

1. The maize Bt event MON810 was approved in 1997. The approval reads “MON810 event and all hybrids derived from this event”.
2. This trait was then introgressed into selected Monsanto parent lines, that is maize lines that we cross breed with one another to produce hybrid seed.
3. Each parent line therefore contains its selected genetic information as well as a Bt gene. The gene expresses a protein that controls maize stalk borers.
4. Hybrids which have been sold since 1998 with the Bt gene have been sold under the trade name YieldGard®

Roundup Ready®

5. The maize Roundup Ready® (RR) event NK603 was approved in 2002. The approval reads “NK603 event and all hybrids derived from this event”.
6. This trait was then introgressed into selected Monsanto parent lines.
7. Each parent line therefore contains its selected genetic information as well as a RR gene. The gene expresses a protein that provides tolerance to the active ingredient in Roundup® Ready Plus herbicide, called glyphosate.
8. Hybrids which have been sold since 2003 with the RR gene have been sold under the trade name Roundup Ready®.
9. This new application by Monsanto is to enable the company to sell hybrids that contain both Bt and RR genes (stacked product).
10. This is achieved through CONVENTIONAL BREEDING PRACTICES. (Making crosses between two parent lines). Therefore we take 3. and cross it with 7.

3. Each parent line therefore contains its selected genetic information as well as a Bt gene. (The gene expresses a protein that controls maize stalk borers).
X (conventional cross breeding)
7. Each parent line therefore contains its selected genetic information as well as a RR gene. (The gene expresses a protein that provides tolerance to the active ingredient in Roundup® Ready Plus herbicide, called glyphosate).

*The newly released ISAAA annual report confirms that the area planted to biotech crops in 2006 increased by 13% from 2005. This is the eleventh consecutive year that biotech crops have grown by more than 10%. The report was released on Jan 18, 2006 in India by Clive James, chairman and founder of the International Service for the Acquisition of Agri-Biotech Applications (ISAAA). The ISAAA report states that more farmers planted more acres of biotech crops in more countries in 2006 than ever before due in large part to the economic and environmental benefits these crops deliver. The annual ISAAA brief characterizes the global status of commercialized biotech crops and presents a consolidated data set to facilitate knowledge based discussion of the current trends in biotech crops. ISAAA is a not for profit, public charity committed to alleviating hunger and poverty by sharing crop biotechnology applications with resource poor subsistence farmers throughout the developing world.