2024-02-15 18:07:47
Genetically modified barley will be planted at Agroscope’s protected site in Zurich-Reckenholz in early spring this year. The test was authorized by the Federal Office for the Environment (FOEN). A gene has been deactivated in different plants of an ancient barley variety called ‘Golden Promise’. This is the CKX2 gene, responsible for regulating seed formation. This modification should make it possible to show whether the productivity of the cereal can be increased or not. As a reminder, such modifications have already taken place in rice and rapeseed plants and the results have been successful.
Researchers at the Free University of Berlin are rather optimistic regarding the experiment. In fact, scientists were able to conduct a greenhouse trial and the genetically modified barley produced more seeds than natural plants. Agroscope points out that no foreign genetic material has been added: “such plants might be created by chance in nature,” indicates the organization in a press release from the Confederation published on Thursday. In addition, the knowledge acquired from this new experience can be used for more modern varieties of barley, as well as for other cereals including wheat and spelled.
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