Home > Benefits of plant science > Biotechnology Benefits & Safety Database > Advances in plant biotechnology and its adoption in developing countries

Advances in plant biotechnology and its adoption in developing countries

Toenniessen, GH, O'Toole, JC, and DeVries, J (2003). Current Opinion in Plant Biology 2003, 6:191–198.

Bookmark and Share

This paper is relevant to the Agronomic, Safety & Health Impact, Environmental, and Developing Country categories in the following areas:

Crops:Maize, Cotton, and Rice
Traits:Virus Resistance, Fungal Resistance, and Insect Res. (BT)
Countries:Argentina, Brazil, China, Egypt, India, Kenya, Mexico, Philippines, South Africa, and Thailand
Regions:South America, North America, Asia, and Africa
ImpactAreas:Agronomic, Safety & Health, Environmental, and Developing Countries

Abstract or Summary:

Developing countries are already benefiting and should continue to benefit significantly from advances in plant biotechnology. Insect-protected cotton containing a natural insecticide protein from Bacillus thuringiensis (Bt cotton) is providing millions of farmers with increased yields, reduced insecticide costs and fewer health risks. Many other useful plant biotechnology products that can benefit poor farmers and consumers are in the research and development pipelines of institutions in developing countries, and should soon reach farmers? fields.

Bt cotton: yield increase, reduction of insecticides and costs, less exposure, less labor

Disease resistant varieties in rice and cassava by marker assisted breeding

Striga control in Africa (imazapyr resistant maize and seed coating)

Look into the future:
- drought tolerance important
- enhanced human nutrition (golden rice)

Paper reproduced from Current Opinion in Plant Biology, 6:191-198, GH Toenniessen et al, 2003 with permission from Elsevier. (www.sciencedirect.com/science/journal/13695266)

Download Advances in plant biotechnology and its adoption in developing countries (held on an external server, and so may require additional authentication details)

CropLife International fully acknowledges the source and authors of the publication as detailed above.

Related Papers

Has your visit been useful?