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Agriculture
Agronomy and Crop Science

Transgenic approaches to crop improvement

Profile image of Jim DunwellJim Dunwell

2000, Journal of Experimental Botany

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Abstract

in the modification of agronomic performance. Data will be provided from a range of sources including details of Transgenic crops are now grown commercially on sevapplications for the field testing of experimental material, eral million hectares, principally in North America. To and from recent patent applications which make claims date, the predominant crops are maize (corn), soybean, to novel approaches to this problem. cotton, and potatoes. In addition, there have been field Throughout this review emphasis will be given to recent trials of transgenics from at least 52 species including publications, which should be consulted if additional all the major field crops, vegetables, and several herbinformation is required. aceous and woody species. This review summarizes recent data relating to such trials, particularly in terms of the trends away from simple, single gene traits Present status of transgenic crops such as herbicide and insect resistance towards more complex agronomic traits such as growth rate and The first transgenic plant product marketed commercially increased photosynthetic efficiency. Much of the was the well-known 'Flavr Savr' tomato which had been recent information is derived from inspection of patent modified to contain reduced levels of the cell wall databases, a useful source of information on commersoftening enzyme polygalacturonase. Tomato purée with cial priorities. The review also discusses the time scale a similar type of modification has been on the market in for the introduction of these transgenes into breedthe UK since February 1996. Since that time, however, ing populations and their eventual release as new there has been a massive expansion in the growth of varieties. transgenic field crops, particularly maize, soybean, oilseed rape, and cotton, such that in North America transgenic Key words: Genetic modification, field trials, photosynvarieties now represent the majority of the acreage of thesis, chlorophyll, stress responses. these crops. For example, it is now estimated that 70% of the Canadian oilseed rape crop in 1999 will be genetically modified. Most of the varieties grown to date have I would like to thank the Biotechnology and Biological Sciences Research Council (BBSRC) and ZENECA plc for financial support and other assistance during the preparation of this Public perception and acceptance review. Recent attention in the media and elsewhere has shown that many sections of the general public in the UK are uneasy about the safety of genetically modified crops and References food derived from such crops (see above) (Dunwell, 1998b). This issue is forcing a political reappraisal of the

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