MN Fruit & Vegetable IPM News - Vol. 1, No. 3

Many field crops have been genetically engineered to resist insect pests (corn, cotton), or to be resistant to herbicides such as Roundup (soybean). By 2003, the total global area planted to transgenic crops was 167 million acres; of this, 106 million acres were planted in the U.S. (63%). By 2003, transgenic crops, providing insect or herbicide resistance, comprised 81% of soybeans, 73% of cotton, and 40% of all field corn grown in the U.S. Early indications suggest that these percentages may continue to increase in 2004.

In contrast, very few horticultural crops have either received priority attention, or have been approved for wide-scale use. A notable example is the use of papaya in Hawaii, with excellent resistance to papaya ringspot virus; these transgenic varieties are credited with saving the papaya industry (53% of acres planted). Consequently, many growers ask why genetically engineered hort crops are being developed at a much slower pace than for field crops. The quick answer is connected to the direct connection to food production, and concerns and perceptions about food safety. However, the complete answer is much more complicated and is being driven by both U.S. and global factors.

The April-June 2004 issue of California Agriculture summarizes what I believe is the most comprehensive overview of the benefits, potential pitfalls and challenges of biotech improvements for horticultural crops. Nearly every key issue, and the trends influencing this industry, are captured in a series of excellent and thought-provoking articles. The series of articles is the result of a 2002 Conference in Monterey, CA. The series also includes a helpful Glossary, an Editorial Overview, and “Hort Biotech” guidelines that were developed at the conference. The series also includes recent developments with marketing Bt sweet corn. See the Web Link below for access to specific articles.

Editorial overview

Challenges and opportunities for horticultural biotechnology
Objectives for horticultural biotechnology
Glossary: Biotechnology

Research articles (* = Sidebar articles)

Horticultural biotechnology faces significant economic and market barriers
High costs for R&D and regulatory approval - as well as market resistance, small acreages and diverse varieties - limit the scope for profitable investments in hort biotech.
*Transgenic produce slow to enter evolving global marketplace
*Diversity of horticultural biotech crops contributes to market hurdles

Despite benefits, commercialization of transgenic horticultural crops lags
Food crops are transformed for built-in pest control and delayed ripening, while flowers and ornamentals have improved colors, scents and life spans.
*Virus-resistant transgenic papaya helps save Hawaiian industry
*Biotechnology expands pest-management options for horticulture
*Transgenic trap crops and rootstocks show potential

Consumer knowledge and acceptance of agricultural biotechnology vary Telephone surveys reveal limited awareness and knowledge of agricultural biotechnology and lack of consensus about whether it is good or bad.

*Words matter
*Consumers purchase Bt sweet corn
Regulatory challenges reduce opportunities for horticultural biotechnology
New transgenic varieties must meet a bevy of requirements, often raising costs so that development for horticultural crops is uneconomical.
*IR-4 Project targets specialty crops
*China aggressively pursuing horticulture and plant biotechnology

Public-private partnerships needed in horticultural research and development
Consortia of horticulture companies and university researchers can aid biotech product development; partners must respect academic freedom.

Access to intellectual property is a major obstacle to developing transgenic horticultural crops
Biotech crop developers must compile intellectual-property rights from myriad sources; a new group will improve IP access for public-sector research.
*Nonprofit institutions form intellectual-property resource for agriculture

News departments

Introduction
Transgenic acreage grows amid changing regulation
*NRC recommends "bioconfinement" measures

Research update
Conventionally bred papaya still possible, even in California
UC researchers evaluating genetically engineered alfalfa

Perspective World trade rules affect horticultural biotechnology

Access to the Web version of this issue is available, at no charge, at: http://californiaagriculture.ucop.edu/

A PDF of the Editorial Overview is also available (requires Acrobat Reader).
May 24 CA-Agri-5-04-Hort-BiotTech-editover.pdf

Return to index

ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS

Co-Editors: Bill Hutchison, Department of Entomology, University of Minnesota, hutch002@umn.edu
Jeanne Ciborowski, Minnesota Department of Agriculture, Ag. Resources Division,jeanne.ciborowski@state.mn.us
Suzanne Wold-Burkness, Department of Entomology, University of Minnesota, woldx018@umn.edu

The Newsletter is published weekly from May through August, cooperatively, by the Minnesota Department of Agriculture (MDA) and the University of Minnesota (U of MN). Reports are posted on the U of MN and MDA web sites on Fridays. If you have suggestions and/or comments, please send your contributions by 4 p.m., Tuesday to Jeanne Ciborowski, 651-297-3217, jeanne.ciborowski@state.mn.us , MDA, 90 W. Plato Blvd., St. Paul, MN 55107-2094. You can access the Newsletter at the U of MN web site in htm. format at: www.vegedge.umn.edu/MNFruit&VegNews/mnindex.htm and at the MDA web site in pdf. format at: www.mda.state.mn.us/biocon/fruitreports/default.htm

Partial funding for this publication is provided through partnership agreements with the Minnesota Fruit and Vegetable Growers Association and the United States Department of Agriculture – Risk Management Agency (RMA) and the RMA Community Outreach and Assistance Partnership Program. These institutions are equal opportunity providers.

DISCLAIMER

References to products in this publication is not intended to be an endorsement to the exclusion of others which may have similar uses. Any person using products listed in this publication assumes full responsibility for their use in accordance with current manufacturer directions.

Last Revised May 21, 2004.
The University, including the Minnesota Extension Service, is an equal opportunity educator and employer. ©1999-2004 Minnesota Extension Service, University of Minnesota. All rights reserved. Contact copyright@extension.umn.edu for information on reproduction or use of this material.