Imagine a type of wheat that can keep growing even when there isn’t enough water. Scientists took a gene from sunflowers and added it to the wheat to make it stronger in dry conditions. This wheat could help farmers grow more food, even when there’s a drought!
What happened? The U.S. Department of Agriculture approved HB4 wheat for cultivation. HB4 is a genetically modified type of wheat designed to be more drought-tolerant. The wheat was developed by Bioceres Crop Solutions and had previously been approved for cultivation in Argentina, Brazil, and Paraguay. This U.S. approval marks a significant step for expanding its use in North America.
Why was this done? The approval addresses a growing challenge: droughts. Climate change has made droughts more frequent, threatening global food security by reducing crop yields. Farmers are facing increasing difficulty in maintaining food production due to unpredictable weather and water scarcity. By developing a wheat strain that can thrive with less water, scientists aim to help farmers continue growing food in drought-prone areas, ensuring stable food supplies.
Who is involved? Bioceres Crop Solutions, a biotechnology company, is behind the development of this wheat. The U.S. Department of Agriculture is the regulatory body that approved its cultivation. The wheat is already approved in other countries like Argentina, where it has been tested and grown successfully under drought conditions.
How does it work? HB4 wheat is genetically modified by inserting a gene from sunflowers. This gene allows the wheat to keep photosynthesizing, or making energy from sunlight, even during drought conditions. Normally, plants shut down photosynthesis when they lack water, but HB4 wheat can keep going. The sunflower gene triggers the production of molecules that protect the plant from stress and helps it retain moisture, allowing it to survive and produce grain even in dry soil.
How will it benefit humanity? HB4 wheat offers a way to maintain or even increase wheat production in regions where water is scarce. This can reduce the risk of food shortages in the future. By making crops more resilient, farmers will be better equipped to deal with climate change. In the long term, this could also mean lower food prices and less economic damage from crop failures, ultimately helping feed a growing global population. Additionally, it offers an environmentally friendly approach by reducing the need for irrigation.
When will it be available? Although HB4 wheat has been approved for cultivation in the U.S., its commercialization will take time. The wheat must undergo more trials and get approved by other countries that are major wheat importers. Until it gains wider international acceptance, it might take a few years for U.S. farmers to start growing it widely for export markets. However, farmers in countries where it’s already approved could see benefits much sooner.
Cite1: Seed World Group. (2024, August 29). The United States has Given the Green Light to GM Wheat. Seed World. https://www.seedworld.com/canada/2024/08/29/the-united-states-has-given-the-green-light-to-gm-wheat/
Cite 2: Jenkins, J. (2024, August 28). Drought-Tolerant biotech wheat approved for cultivation in the United States. DTN Progressive Farmer. https://www.dtnpf.com/agriculture/web/ag/crops/article/2024/08/28/drought-tolerant-biotech-wheat
Disclaimer: This content was simplified and condensed using AI technology to enhance readability and brevity.
