July 3, 2002

Research Extension Centers Evaluating Biotechnology Derived Wheat

The North Dakota Agricultural Experiment Station at North Dakota State University is evaluating Roundup Ready hard red spring wheat at its Langdon Research Extension Center and Dalrymple Research site near Casselton. It’s research that NDSU scientists and administrators say is part of their mission.

"One of the primary objectives of the NDSU research extension centers is to research new agricultural technologies that have the potential to benefit producers as well as consumers," according to Randy Mehlhoff, NDSU Research Experiment Center director in Langdon. "Part of our studies in new technology involves biotechnology."

The seed being tested has been altered, through biotechnology, to increase its resistance to the herbicide Roundup which would allow producers to spray the weed killer without harming the crop.

We have been using breeding or crossing plant varieties to improve crops since cultivation became commonplace," says Jim Venette, NDSU Associate Dean for Academic Programs. "Today we’re using different tools. With Roundup ready we are moving a bacterial gene that can tolerate Roundup into the crop. Studies on biotechnology-derived crops will increase as methods to incorporate disease, insect and environmental stress resistance are more available."

In North Dakota, an estimated 25 percent of the corn, 50 percent of the soybeans and 70 percent of canola that is grown has been genetically engineered. The situation is different with hard red spring wheat, Venette notes. "Some foreign markets are not yet open to a genetically engineered wheat and some growers such as those raising organic grains are concerned about genetically engineered seeds mixing in with organic seeds. Because a portion of North Dakota producers favor production of non-transgenic crops, we will need to develop dual systems for breeding, testing, and handling of crop materials."

"We are using a separate planter, plot combine and other equipment to avoid any such problems," according to Al Schneiter, chair of the NDSU Department of Plant Sciences. "The harvested material is cleaned out in the field and the residue then is burned or buried. The seed is boxed and brought to NDSU and kept in a separate room away from other harvested material. The seed is kept under lock and key with only two people having access. We are far exceeding all the established guidelines and doing everything humanly possible to prevent co-mixing."

Another concern is the possibility that pollen could drift to other wheat seed stock in the field. The United States Department of Agriculture requires test plot isolation of 33 feet while the North Dakota Department of Agriculture requires 330 feet. "Research indicates that pollen will only remain viable at distances of 10 to 30 feet," Mehlhoff says."At Langdon we are 1,320 feet away from our other wheat seed increase fields."

Approximately ten acres of Roundup Ready wheat are being tested in North Dakota, notes Melhoff. The Langdon center has a one-acre plot. "A test is being developed to check for genetically engineered wheat to assure other conventional seed grown at the station is not co-mixed. Should the wheat field test positive, it will be destroyed."

On a national level, the USDA’s Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) is the lead agency regulating biotechnology-derived new plant varieties. An APHIS scientific reviewer evaluates the possible environmental impacts of the proposed field test. Also considered is the possible impact of new plant varieties on endangered or threatened species.

The use of biotechnology can be of great benefit to consumers, according to Schneiter. "Biotechnology can help producers increase crop yields and feed more people especially in some third world countries. It can also decrease the farmer’s reliance on insecticides and herbicides and develop new markets. There is nothing scary or weird about biotechnology research. Instead of being a negative factor, biotechnology research has the potential to drastically improve the health and well being of many of the world’s citizens."

Venette agrees and says other methods of producing grains must also be supported. "If organic farming gives producers access to certain markets, we need to support that. We have to give those producers information to be successful. But NDSU has an obligation and that obligation is to all the people in the state which means we have to provide menus of opportunity to succeed in today’s marketplace," Venette says.

The economic, ethical and social aspects of biotechnology are being studied by researchers as part of a project involving NDSU and eight other universities in five states. The economic research is centered on the acceptance patterns of biotechnology and how those patterns are shaped by farmers, consumers and agribusiness.

Consumer acceptance of foods from biotechnology-derived plants or from animals that consume genetically altered crops is also being evaluated.

Another large part of the study centers on education through the NDSU Extension Service. Workshops, along with printed and electronic information are provided to educators and students to help examine biotechnology issues.

More information regarding biotechnology issues is available from an NDSU Web site at: http://www.ag.ndsu.nodak.edu/biotech/ .

"Biotechnology is an exciting and rapidly changing field," Schneiter says. "I wish I was 40 years younger so I could see what agriculture will be like 60 years from now."

###

Sources: Al Schneiter, (701) 231-8137, albert.schneiter@ndsu.nodak.edu
Jim Venette, (701) 231-8953, jvenette@ndsuext.nodak.edu
Randy Mehlhoff, (701) 256-2582, rmehlhof@ndsuext.nodak.edu
Editor: Rich Mattern, (701) 231-6136, rmattern@ndsuext.nodak.edu