Genetically modified sugarcane and Eldana. Sandy Snyman Agronomist s Association Annual Symposium 27 October 2015

Transcription

1 Genetically modified sugarcane and Eldana Sandy Snyman Agronomist s Association Annual Symposium 27 October 2015

2 GM=Genetically modified What is GM? DNA/gene from one source is transferred to another organism

3 Rationale for GM crops Conventional breeding constraints Desire to improve yield, reduce crop loss, solve a particular problem (e.g. create plants resistant to insects and herbicides) Technology is working in the field The 5 lead developing countries - Brazil, Argentina, India, China, and South Africa grew 47% of global biotech crops in Biotech crops containing the insect resistance trait were planted on 25 mill ha in Biotech crops reduced the amount of pesticides used by 497 million kg in The first GM crop to be commercially cultivated in SA was in 1997 insect resistant Bt maize MON810. Biotech crops containing the insect resistance and herbicide tolerance stack were planted on 50 mill ha in Sugar derived from GM sugarbeet will be sold on the world market in 2015.

4 Global status of GM crops in 2013

5 GM crops in SA Maize, soybean and cotton insect resistance and herbicide tolerance and stacked traits Legislation - GMO Act no. 15 of 1997 Field trials with many other crops e.g. sugarcane DAFF Registrar GMO Act issues permits issues for: Contained field trial General release (commercial cultivation) Commodity Clearance (import for food and feed)

6 The insect resistance trait Bt = Bacillus thuringiensis = soil bacterium Produces a protein (Cry) that is toxic when ingested by lepidopteran insects e.g. Eldana, Chilo, Sesamia and Busseola Cry proteins have a specific mode of action Not toxic to non-target insects or humans

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8 GM sugarcane Eldana Eldana is the insect pest causing the most damage + losses R900 million/annum lost due to early harvesting and yield Conventional breeding not easy for Eldana resistance but is being conducted (certain traits are negatively associated e.g. smut and Eldana)

9 What has SASRI done? Does the gene of interest work in sugarcane? Does the technology work? Proof of Concept Is the trait maintained in the field over ratoons? Apart from the new trait, does sugarcane still behave in the same way?

10 What has SASRI done? In early 2000 s - R&D contract with Monsanto SASRI Biotech Facility transformed an Eldanasusceptible sugarcane cultivar with Bt Cry1Ab gene Sugarcane plants (9 mo old) were inoculated with 1 st instar Eldana larvae and damage was assessed after 500 degree days (larvae 5-6 th instar) Plants that expressed the Cry protein were included in Entomology s pot-based bioassay in the shadehouse facility

11 Average no. larvae/stalk What has SASRI done? S TG041 03TG017 03TG030 N21 N27 Line number R Comparison of Eldana larvae per stalk in transgenic and wildtype lines

12 Commercialisation of GM sugarcane in SA Major restriction is access to intellectual property (IP) i.e. gene constructs Extremely high licencing costs Relatively small size SA sugar industry compared with e.g. Brazil The role of the Sugar Industry in progressing GM sugarcane Industry GM workshop in October Bt cane was chosen as a priority Commissioned a business case study Access Bt gene and enter commercial agreements with IP owners Allocate financial resources for royalties and biosafety dossiers

13 Processes associated with development and release of GM sugarcane Milestone Time frame for development Depends on. Licence agreement 2 years Industry negotiations excluded Generation of Proof of Concept events (laboratory) 3 years SASRI resources $ Proof of Concept screening (lab) 2 years SASRI resources $ Greenhouse efficacy testing 2 years SASRI $ Field trial commercial events 3 years* SASRI $$ Regulatory package development 3 years* Includes: Socio-economic study Food and feed safety testing Regulatory package submission At year 12 SASRI $ Stewardship programme At release Industry - monitoring programme (ongoing after release) Cost $$$$$ excluded First commercial sale 14 years Industry - Marketing excluded TOTALS R200 mill

14 Time frames associated with development and release of GM sugarcane Milestone Time frame for development Depends on. Licence agreement 2 years Industry negotiations excluded Generation of Proof of Concept events (laboratory) 3 years SASRI resources $ Proof of Concept screening (lab) 2 years SASRI resources $ Greenhouse efficacy testing 2 years SASRI $ Field trial commercial events 3 years* SASRI $$ Regulatory package development 3 years* Includes: Socio-economic study Food and feed safety testing Regulatory package submission At year 12 SASRI $ Stewardship programme At release Industry - monitoring programme (ongoing after release) Cost $$$$$ excluded First commercial sale years Industry - Marketing excluded TOTALS R200 mill

15 Considerations associated with development and release of GM sugarcane Milestone Time frame for development Depends on. Licence agreement 2 years Industry negotiations excluded Generation of Proof of Concept events (laboratory) 3 years SASRI resources $ Proof of Concept screening (lab) 2 years SASRI resources $ Greenhouse efficacy testing 2 years SASRI $ Field trial commercial events 3 years* SASRI $$ Regulatory package development 3 years* Includes: Socio-economic study Food and feed safety testing Regulatory package submission At year 12 SASRI $ Stewardship programme At release Industry - monitoring programme (ongoing after release) Cost $$$$$ excluded First commercial sale years Industry - Marketing excluded TOTALS R200 mill

16 Costs associated with development and release of GM sugarcane Milestone Time frame for development Depends on. Licence agreement 2 years Industry negotiations excluded Generation of Proof of Concept events (laboratory) 3 years SASRI resources $ Proof of Concept screening (lab) 2 years SASRI resources $ Greenhouse efficacy testing 2 years SASRI $ Field trial commercial events 3 years* SASRI $$ Regulatory package development 3 years* Includes: Socio-economic study Food and feed safety testing Regulatory package submission At year 12 SASRI $ Stewardship programme At release Industry - monitoring programme (ongoing after release) Cost $$$$$ excluded First commercial sale years Industry - Marketing excluded TOTALS ~R200 mill

17 Planning the next steps Sugar Industry GM workshop A business plan for Bt GM commercialisation was developed 2015/2016 IP audit to be conducted and a strategy to be developed for SASRI to obtain the necessary gene constructs 2016/2017 Once constructs are received, laboratory-based GM work can begin

18 Thank you