Modern Agricultural Biotechnology Research Articles

Study of local strains of enzymatic microflora of green biomass and of microalgae obtained from natural local sources

. The scientific article presents the results of innovative technologies used in the anaerobic fermentation of biomass of green plants, as well as the cultivation of local enzymatic strains in elective conditions. At the same time, in the course of morphocytological experiments, the results of the description of lactic acid bacteria that carry out complete silage in the process of feed production are presented. The study of new and economically accessible sources of high-quality protein raw materials is an urgent problem in modern agricultural biotechnology. One of the solutions to this problem is the use of microalgae as a source of bio-feed. In a number of countries, single-celled algae Clorella and Scenedesmus are used for the production of feed protein instead of traditional sources of raw materials, such as plant resources and the protein mass of microorganisms. Based on these data, it is obvious that in order to maintain the normal functioning of the body, timely cell renewal, and a constant synthesis of various forms of proteins, including essential amino acids, must be carried out. In this regard, many scientific laboratories in the field of agricultural biotechnology, including Kazakhstan, are intensively engaged in the problems of providing and increasing the content of feed preparations with essential amino acids. The article presents the results of scientific research on the microbiological identification of microalgae living in the rivers of the Turkestan region. In the course of the research work, the taxonomic identification of local microalgae strains was carried out, as well as their morphological features were studied. In addition, natural populations were cultured on elective media under laboratory conditions.

Bitki ve Hayvan Biyoteknolojisi; Hücresel Tarım ve Nano-Teknoloji

Tarımsal biyoteknoloji araştırmacılara, tarımı ve yetiştiriciliği yapılan bütün organizlamarın genetiğini anlama ve manipüle etme imkanı sağlayan bir alandır. Tarımsal biyoteknolojinin başlangıcında fermantasyon gibi yöntemler sık kullanılırken, bugün modern tarımsal biyoteknoloji besinlerin kalitesini, miktarını, içeriğini arttırmaya ve tat gibi farklı özellikleri değiştirmeye imkan sağlamaktadır. Bitki biyoteknolojisi alanındaki çalışmalar çoğunlukla bitkilerde verim ve kaliteyi arttırmanın yanında biyotik ve abiyotik stres faktörlerine karşı dayanıklı bitkiler geliştirmeye odaklanırken, hayvan biyoteknolojisi ise hayvansal ürünlerin kalitesini arttırma, suni dölleme, embriyo transferi, hayvan hastalıklarının daha ucuz ve kolay bir şekilde teşhis ve tedavi yöntemlerinin geliştirilmesi konularını ele almaktadır. Bu çalışmada bitkisel ve hayvansal üretim alanında yeni uygulama alanı bulan hücresel üretim ve nano-biyoteknoloji uygulamaları irdelenmiştir.

Space breeding in modern agriculture

Space breeding, also known as aviation breeding or space technology breeding, is a new type of breeding technology developed in recent decades, which combines space technology, modern agricultural technology and biotechnology. Compared with traditional breeding technology, it can greatly improve the quality of agricultural products in a short period of time, create many high-quality provenances, well solve the problem of food shortage, and bring endless benefits to the world. Therefore, space breeding technology will play an important role in the rapid development of modern agriculture. In this paper, the principles and characteristics of space breeding, development status and future prospects at home and abroad are introduced.

Scientific Innovation for the Sustainable Development of African Agriculture


 
 
 The African continent has considerable potential to reap the benefits associated with modern agricultural biotechnology. Plant biotechnology and breeding represent an invaluable toolbox to face the challenges of African agriculture, such as food and nutrition security, environment protection, soil fertility, and crop adaptation to new climatic conditions. As Africa has only relatively recently adopted agricultural biotechnology, it has the opportunity to harness the immense knowledge gathered over the last two decades while avoiding some of the difficulties experienced by early adopters. High-level research and education systems together with a specific regulatory framework are critical elements in the development of sustainable biotechnology-based agriculture and industry. The more actors that are involved in Research & Development applied to nutritionally and important local crops, the faster Africa will generate its future African innovators. Here, we discuss the contribution of plant biotechnology to a transformative African agriculture that combines intensification of land productivity and environmental sustainability.
 KEY WORDS: PLANT BIOTECHNOLOGY, AFRICA, YIELD POTENTIAL, NUTRITION SECURITY, ENVIRONMENTAL MITIGATION
 
 

Scientific Innovation for a Sustainable Development of African Agriculture

The African continent has considerable potential to reap the benefits associated with modern agricultural biotechnology. Plant biotechnology and breeding represent an invaluable toolbox to face the challenges of African agriculture, such as food and nutrition security, environment protection, soil fertility, and crop adaptation to new climatic conditions. As Africa has only relatively recently adopted agricultural biotechnology, it has the opportunity to harness the immense knowledge gathered over the last two decades while avoiding some of the difficulties experienced by early adopters. High-level research and education systems together with a specific regulatory framework are critical elements in the development of sustainable biotechnology-based agriculture and industry. The more actors that are involved in Research & Development applied to nutritionally and important local crops, the faster Africa will generate its future African innovators. Here, we discuss the contribution of plant biotechnology to a transformative African agriculture that combines intensification of land productivity and environmental sustainability. KEY WORDS: PLANT BIOTECHNOLOGY, AFRICA, YIELD POTENTIAL, NUTRITION SECURITY, ENVIRONMENTAL MITIGATION

Scientific Innovation for The Sustainable Development of African Agriculture

The African continent has considerable potential to reap the benefits associated with modern agricultural biotechnology. Plant biotechnology and breeding represent an invaluable toolbox to face the challenges of African agriculture, such as food and nutrition security, environment protection, soil fertility, and crop adaptation to new climatic conditions. As Africa has only relatively recently adopted agricultural biotechnology, it has the opportunity to harness the immense knowledge gathered over the last two decades while avoiding some of the difficulties experienced by early adopters. High-level research and education systems together with a specific regulatory framework are critical elements in the development of sustainable biotechnology-based agriculture and industry. The more actors that are involved in Research & Development applied to nutritionally and important local crops, the faster Africa will generate its future African innovators. Here, we discuss the contribution of plant biotechnology to a transformative African agriculture that combines intensification of land productivity and environmental sustainability.

Genetic Engineering-Based Modern Approaches to Enhance Crop Resistance to Pests

Creation of genetically modified plants with an incorporated system protecting them from pests is one of the main goals in modern agricultural biotechnology. From the mid-1990s to the present, the majority of such transgenic crops is represented by carriers of the insecticidal Cry and Vip genes of the bacterium Bacillus thuringiensis. However, a tendency to change this strategy in favor of the incorporated defense systems based on RNA interference has become evident during the recent decade. Evolutional paths of phytophages' responses to insecticidal GM plants that are armed with these genetic constructions are discussed in the review.

Approaches to Set Rules for Trade in the Products of Agricultural Biotechnology. Is Harmonization under Trans-Pacific Partnership Possible?

Abstract Given the absence of progress toward a multilateral agreement on trade liberalization in the WTO’s Doha Round, countries are attempting to gain the perceived gains from trade through the negotiation of preferential trade agreements. One of the most ambitious attempts to negotiate a preferential agreement is the Trans Pacific Partnership (TPP) which encompasses 12 countries across the Pacific including both the US and Japan. The TPP members account for approximately 40 % of global GDP. One of the most difficult issues in current international trade policy is the regulation of trade in the products of modern agricultural biotechnology. This question was on the negotiating agenda of the TPP. The objective of this paper is to lay out the major issues in the trade of products of modern agricultural biotechnology and examines the regulatory regimes for biotechnology in the 12 TPP countries. It finds that there is a significant divergence in the approaches to regulating genetically modified organisms (GMOs) across the TPP countries. As a result, the development of a harmonized regulatory regime to govern trade in GMOs was impossible directly in the TPP. A forum where the development of a harmonized system could potentially be undertaken was, however, agreed in the TPP.

Ectopic expression of specific GA2 oxidase mutants promotes yield and stress tolerance in rice.

SummaryA major challenge of modern agricultural biotechnology is the optimization of plant architecture for enhanced productivity, stress tolerance and water use efficiency (WUE). To optimize plant height and tillering that directly link to grain yield in cereals and are known to be tightly regulated by gibberellins (GAs), we attenuated the endogenous levels of GAs in rice via its degradation. GA 2‐oxidase (GA2ox) is a key enzyme that inactivates endogenous GAs and their precursors. We identified three conserved domains in a unique class of C20 GA2ox, GA2ox6, which is known to regulate the architecture and function of rice plants. We mutated nine specific amino acids in these conserved domains and observed a gradient of effects on plant height. Ectopic expression of some of these GA2ox6 mutants moderately lowered GA levels and reprogrammed transcriptional networks, leading to reduced plant height, more productive tillers, expanded root system, higher WUE and photosynthesis rate, and elevated abiotic and biotic stress tolerance in transgenic rice. Combinations of these beneficial traits conferred not only drought and disease tolerance but also increased grain yield by 10–30% in field trials. Our studies hold the promise of manipulating GA levels to substantially improve plant architecture, stress tolerance and grain yield in rice and possibly in other major crops.

Global Adoption of Genetically Modified (GM) Crops: Challenges for the Public Sector.

Advances in biotechnology continue to drive the development of a wide range of insect-protected, herbicide-tolerant, stress-tolerant, and nutritionally enhanced genetically modified (GM) crops, yet societal and public policy considerations may slow their commercialization. Such restrictions may disproportionately affect developing countries, as well as smaller entrepreneurial and public sector initiatives. The 2014 IUPAC International Congress of Pesticide Chemistry (San Francisco, CA, USA; August 2014) included a symposium on "Challenges Associated with Global Adoption of Agricultural Biotechnology" to review current obstacles in promoting GM crops. Challenges identified by symposium presenters included (i) poor public understanding of GM technology and the need for enhanced communication strategies, (ii) nonharmonized and prescriptive regulatory requirements, and (iii) limited experience with regulations and product development within some public sector programs. The need for holistic resistance management programs to enable the most effective use of insect-protected crops was also a point of emphasis. This paper provides details on the symposium discussion and provides background information that can be used in support of further adoption of beneficial GM crops. Overall, it emphasizes that global adoption of modern agricultural biotechnology has not only provided benefits to growers and consumers but has great potential to provide solutions to an increasing global population and diminishing agricultural land. This potential will be realized by continued scientific innovation, harmonized regulatory systems, and broader communication of the benefits of the high-yielding, disease-resistant, and nutritionally enhanced crops attainable through modern biotechnology.

Compositional differences between near-isogenic GM and conventional maize hybrids are associated with backcrossing practices in conventional breeding.

Here, we show that differences between genetically modified (GM) and non-GM comparators cannot be attributed unequivocally to the GM trait, but arise because of minor genomic differences in near-isogenic lines. Specifically, this study contrasted the effect of three GM traits (drought tolerance, MON 87460; herbicide resistance, NK603; insect protection, MON 89034) on maize grain composition relative to the effects of residual genetic variation from backcrossing. Important features of the study included (i) marker-assisted backcrossing to generate genetically similar inbred variants for each GM line, (ii) high-resolution genotyping to evaluate the genetic similarity of GM lines to the corresponding recurrent parents and (iii) introgression of the different GM traits separately into a wide range of genetically distinct conventional inbred lines. The F1 hybrids of all lines were grown concurrently at three replicated field sites in the United States during the 2012 growing season, and harvested grain was subjected to compositional analysis. Proximates (protein, starch and oil), amino acids, fatty acids, tocopherols and minerals were measured. The number of statistically significant differences (α = 0.05), as well as magnitudes of difference, in mean levels of these components between corresponding GM variants was essentially identical to that between GM and non-GM controls. The largest sources of compositional variation were the genetic background of the different conventional inbred lines (males and females) used to generate the maize hybrids and location. The lack of any compositional effect attributable to GM suggests the development of modern agricultural biotechnology has been accompanied by a lack of any safety or nutritional concerns.

Development and application of modern agricultural biotechnology in Botswana: The potentials, opportunities and challenges

In Botswana, approximately 40% of the population live in rural areas and derive most of their livelihood from agriculture by keeping livestock and practising arable farming. Due to the nature of their farming practises livestock and crops are exposed to diseases and environmental stresses. These challenges offer opportunities for application of biotechnology to develop adaptable materials to the country's environment. On the other hand, the perceived risk of genetically modified organisms (GMOs) has dimmed the promise of the technology for its application in agriculture. This calls for a holistic approach to the application of biotechnology to address issues of biosafety of GMOs. We have therefore assessed the potentials, challenges and opportunities to apply biotechnology with specific emphasis on agriculture, taking cognisance of requirement for its research, development and application in research and teaching institutions. In order to achieve this, resource availability, infrastructure, human and laboratory requirements were analyzed. The analysis revealed that the country has the capacity to carry out research in biotechnology in the development and production of genetically modified crops for food and fodder crops. These will include gene discovery, genetic transformation and development of systems to comply with the world regulatory framework on biosafety. In view of the challenges facing the country in agriculture, first generation biotech crops could be released for production. Novel GM products for development may include disease diagnosis kits, animal disease vaccines, and nutrient use efficiency, drought, and pest and disease resistant food and fodder crops.

“First Things First”: Application of Islamic Principles of Priority in the Ethical Assessment of Genetically Modified Foods

Advancement of modern agricultural biotechnology has brought various potential benefits to humankind, but at the same time ethical concerns regarding some applications such as genetically modified foods (GMF) have been raised among the public. Several questions are being posed; should they utilize such applications to improve quality of their life, or should they refrain in order to save themselves from any associated risk? What are the ethical principles that can be applied to assess these applications? By using GMF as a case study, this paper discusses possible answers to these questions from Islamic perspective. Such answers are based on the understanding of the Islamic concept of maslahah (benefit) and mafsadah (harm) as well as the Islamic principles of priority. There is no specific GMF that has been declared as unlawful by Muslim scholars thus far. Nevertheless, they generally state that any GMF that contains unlawful substance is prohibited in Islam. Such statement can be understood since Islam puts highest priority to preserve shari’ah (Islamic law) which prescribes the lawful and unlawful things in human life. Priorities have also been given to preserve human health and environment therefore any GMF that may inflict harm on both entities is also considered as unlawful.

Biotechnology and Agriculture

Here, we provide a comprehensive insight into current advances in the use of modern biotechnology in agriculture. Considering that biotechnology involves the use of scientific and engineering principles in the processing of materials by biological agents to provide goods and services. This study does not only take a historical retrace of biotechnology into account but considers the pros and cons of the use of biotechnology in attending the need for global food production as well as the challenges there of.

Biotechnology and the Future of Africa’s Agriculture

Even after more than 15 years of the emergence of modern biotechnology in agriculture, much of Africa remains reluctant if not hostile to it. Some view modern biotechnology as the new messiah to lift Africa from starvation and food insecurity while others hold the contrary view and advise Africa to stay away from the technology for reasons ranging from health and environmental concerns to economic considerations. They fear that the unfolding ‘gene revolution’ is destined to fail on its promises because of the existing complex economic, social, and political circumstances in Africa as was the case in the green revolution. Africa continues to be gripped in the polarized debate so much so that it is unable to make informed decision on a technology with promises that could potentially address some of the problems of agriculture in the continent. This paper explores issues related to modern biotechnology in general and genetically modified organisms (GMOs) in particular in the context of Africa. To that end, it begins by briefly exploring the debate on modern biotechnology and relating it to the context of Africa. It then presents the state of modern biotechnology in Africa and the different positions of African countries, and it subsequently examines the different concerns on GMOs in the context of Africa. The paper makes the conclusion that while technology alone may not necessarily resolve all the ills of Africa’s agriculture, modern biotechnology should certainly be attractive to Africa- a continent known for a long history of poverty, chronic food insecurity and malnutrition. Modern biotechnology may assist in improving yields and quality of crops- plants could be more resistant to diseases, pests, drought or any other strenuous environmental conditions or improved strong properties or quality characteristics which are all the very evils of Africa’s agriculture. The existence of divergent views on modern biotechnology should not prevent Africa from making informed decision and harnessing the benefits while at the same time ensuring its safety in terms of health and the environment as well as its relevance to the needs and priorities of the continent.Presented at the SIEL 2010 Conference in Barcelona.

Modern Agricultural Biotechnology and National Security

(2009). Modern Agricultural Biotechnology and National Security. Security Index: A Russian Journal on International Security: Vol. 15, No. 3-4, pp. 135-140.

A review of regulatory issues raised by genetically modified organisms in agriculture.

Abstract The use of genetically modified organisms (GMOs) in agriculture has been controversial since the late 1990s, and the question of how to regulate the products of modern agricultural biotechnology is central to that debate. Aside from potential impacts on human health and the environment, regulators must consider and are influenced by a range of issues that go beyond scientific evidence. This paper reviews these regulatory issues, using the case studies of GMO regulation in the USA and the European Union for illustration. It first discusses approaches to technology and nature as fundamental choices associated with the use of GMOs in agriculture. It then moves on to socioeconomic issues, which form the context in which regulatory decisions are made. On the basis of these two first sections, the review turns to a discussion of ways in which regulators frame GM crop and food policies. Finally, it addresses possible challenges to regulation, in particular critical public opinion or trade clashes resulting from conflicting regulatory approaches. This paper concludes that, when there is perceived scientific uncertainty concerning the potential impacts of a new technology on the part of certain stakeholders and actors in the debate, non-scientific regulatory considerations, for example relating to ethical, social and economic issues, are of crucial importance in shaping regulation.

A tiered system for assessing the risk of genetically modified plants to non-target organisms

Representatives of the developers of modern agricultural biotechnology are proposing a tiered approach for conducting non-target organism risk assessment for genetically modified (GM) plants in Europe. The approach was developed by the Technical Advisory Group of the EuropaBio Plant Biotechnology Unit (http://www.europabio.org/TAG.htm) and complements other international activities to harmonize risk assessment. In the European Union (EU), the principles and methods to be followed in an environmental risk assessment for the placing on the market of GM plants are laid out in Annex II of Directive 2001/18/EC on the deliberate release into the environment of GMOs, Commission Decision 2002/623/EC and Regulation (EC) No. 1829/2003. Additional information is provided in the European Food Safety Authority guidance document of 2004. However, risk assessment for effects to non-target organisms could benefit from further clarification and remains the subject of much discussion in Europe. The industry-wide approach developed by EuropaBio is based on the fundamental steps of risk evaluation, namely hazard and exposure assessment. It follows a structured scheme including assessment planning, product characterization and assessment of hazard/exposure (Tier 0), single high dose and dose response testing (Tier 1), refined hazard characterization and exposure assessment (Tier 2) and further refined risk assessment experiments (Tier 3). An additional tier (Tier 4) was included to reflect the fact that post-market activities such as monitoring are required under Directive 2001/18/EC. The approach is compatible with conditions of commercial release in the EU and around the world.

Agricultural Biotechnology Adoption in Developing Countries

Over the last ten years, modern agricultural biotechnology has been adopted rapidly at the global level, including in several developing countries. This trend has been most apparent for genetically modified (GM) crops. While the first GM crops were officially commercialized in the United States in 1995, in 2004 GM crops were already grown by more than 8 million farmers in seventeen countries on a total area of 81 million hectares (James). This is the fastest diffusion of any new crop technology in the history of humankind. The most widely used GM technologies involve herbicide tolerance (HT) applied in soybean and canola, and insect resistance, based on genes isolated from Bacillus thuringiensis (Bt), applied in maize and cotton. Recent studies about the agronomic and economic impacts demonstrate that on average adopting farmers benefit from income increases through reduced pest control costs and higher effective yields (Carpenter et al.; Traxler et al.; Pray et al.; Morse, Bennett, and Ismael, Thirtle et al.; Qaim and Zilberman, Qaim and de Janvry 2005; Qaim and Traxler). These studies even suggest that the farm-level benefits tend to be bigger in developing than in developed countries.

Stakeholder attitudes towards the risks and benefits of genetically modified crops in South Africa

The attitudes and interests of stakeholders involved in national public debates on the risks and benefits of genetically modified crops are having a significant influence on public opinion as well as public policy outcomes related to the use of genetically modified organisms (GMOs) in agriculture in developed and developing countries. This article discusses the results of a perception survey conducted with South African stakeholders involved in the GMO debate in 2000 and uses them to explain GMO policy in South Africa in 2004. The results suggest that academia, government, producer and consumer organizations and industry in South Africa strongly believe in the benefits of GM crops, while non-governmental organizations and churches do not. Instead, the latter emphasize the potential risks that, they claim, the government does not address with its permissive policy toward GMOs. The paper concludes that South Africa has become an African leader in promoting as well as in opposing modern biotechnology in agriculture. At the same time, the domestic debate on GMOs continues to be very polarized. The South African government may reassume public leadership by designing a biotechnology policy that aims at minimizing the risks and maximizing the benefits of the technology not just in terms of economic growth but also environmental conservation and poverty alleviation.