Origin and BRI will focus on the development of dicamba tolerance, drought tolerance, and salt-alkaline tolerance GMO soybean varieties
Origin Agritech and BRI have collaborated on the development of GMO soybean varieties. (Credit: egroll from Pixabay)
Agriculture technology company Origin Agritech has partnered with Chinese Academy of Agriculture Sciences (CAAS) division Biotechnology Research Institute (BRI) for the development and commercialisation of GMO soybean varieties.
The collaboration between Origin Agritech and BRI has been expanded for the development of dicamba tolerance, drought tolerance, and salt-alkaline tolerance GMO soybean varieties with the application of three BRI newly developed and patented genes.
BRI has already developed glyphosate tolerance G2-epsps gene. Origin has global exclusive commercial rights for this gene in corn, soybean, and other major crops.
Origin Agritech and BRI already involved in the development of various GM traits
Since many years, Origin Agritech has been working with BRI in the development of various genes, including GMO phytase corn, glyphosate tolerance corn, and double-stacked insect resistance and glyphosate tolerance corn.
The phytase corn trait secured bio-safety approval in 2009. Multiple elite phytase commercial corn hybrids were developed and are pending for variety bio-safety approval.
Most of the trails have been completed with glyphosate tolerance corn and double-stacked insect resistance/glyphosate tolerance corn. They are currently under the government approval process.
BRI has developed GMO glyphosate tolerance soybean by using G2-epsps gene. It recently secured a bio-safety certificate.
The new collaboration helps to expand Origin Agritech’s cooperation with BRI as well as focus on related research and commercialisation of GMO soybean.
BRI will concentrate on fundamental research as well as offer technical support to Origin on GMO soybean product development and global commercialisation.
BRI director Dr Li Xinhai said: “We are very pleased to further deepen our collaboration with Origin.
“The new agreement will definitely promote GMO soybean research and commercialisation which will increase soybean production and benefit Chinese farmers and consumers in China as well as other parts of the world.”
CAAS is a national and integrative agricultural scientific research organisation in China. It is involved in both basic and applied research as well as the development of new technologies to advance agriculture.
Established in 1997, Origin has a biotechnology seed pipeline, including products with glyphosate tolerance and pest resistance (Bt) traits.
In March this year, Benson Hill unveiled plans to introduce Ultra-High Protein soybean varieties in the 2021 crop year.