GMO

From resistance genes to hybrid seed: CIP sets out two routes to stronger potato production

A recent update by the International Potato Center (CIP) highlights advances in late blight resistance and diploid hybrid breeding techniques presented by Director General Simon Heck at the World Agrifood Innovation Conference in Beijing. The emphasis on local partnerships aims to enhance farmer access to these innovations. Multiple approaches, including biotechnology and hybrid breeding, aim to improve potato varieties, addressing biological challenges while ensuring market compatibility and reliable seed supply for sustainable agricultural practices.

October 8, 2026

The vanishing dormancy: Genetic breakthroughs to extend potato storage without chemicals

Researchers from Cranfield University, PepsiCo, and Solynta are working on extending potato dormancy without chemicals like CIPC, writes Lukie Pieterse in this article. Their project focuses on understanding the genetic and physiological aspects of dormancy to improve storage efficiency, aiming to reduce energy use and waste. The collaboration seeks to identify traits that enhance dormancy, with implications for reduced sprout losses and overall cost savings in potato storage. Results and advancements are expected by 2026.

September 26, 2025

Inside the race to engineer smarter potatoes: How ‘chloroplast engineering’ could usher in a new era of high-yield, climate-resilient varieties

Chloroplast engineering is emerging as a breakthrough technology for crop improvement, with direct relevance to potato farming. The Oxford-led OPTIMiSE project, backed by £6.7 million in funding, aims to redesign chloroplast genomes to enhance yield, resilience, and nutrient efficiency in potatoes. By leveraging natural variation and advanced synthetic biology, this approach could surpass conventional breeding methods. Such innovation holds promise for building climate-smart, high-performing potato varieties fit for future agricultural challenges.

June 9, 2025

Oxford researchers pioneer £6.7m chloroplast engineering project to create next-generation potato varieties

A University of Oxford research team has secured a £6.7 million grant to investigate chloroplast engineering, aimed at improving potato and wheat production. Collaborating with Wild Bioscience Ltd, the project seeks to enhance photosynthesis efficiency and resilience against climate stressors by reprogramming chloroplasts. This could lead to higher crop yields and reduced agricultural inputs, addressing food security challenges and fostering sustainable farming amidst climate change.

June 9, 2025

Organic or intensive agriculture? Brazil reframes the debate over the most promising future for farming

By 2050, the world population has surged past 9 billion, dramatically increasing the demand for nutritious food. However, climate instability and limited arable land threaten food production, particularly in Sub-Saharan Africa and South Asia. While the U.S. excels in agricultural efficiency, replicating its methods is challenging elsewhere. South America’s agricultural transformation offers a potential model for developing regions facing similar crises.

June 8, 2025

Potato genetics reimagined: Syntato sets 2028 goal for new engineered potato variety using synthetic chromosomes

Syntato, a spinout from Imperial College London’s MRC Laboratory of Medical Sciences, has secured UK ARIA funding to pioneer chromosome engineering in potatoes. The goal: to create a new potato variety with a synthetic chromosome by 2028. This breakthrough could dramatically improve crop resilience, productivity, and sustainability. Collaborating with international biotech partners, Syntato aims to make chromosome design modular and reusable—offering a leap forward for next-generation potato breeding.

June 4, 2025

Revolutionizing crop resilience: RIPE team enhances potato growth by overcoming heat stress with genetic engineering

A team at the University of Illinois developed a heat-resistant potato, achieving a 30% increase in tuber mass during heatwaves. This research, part of the RIPE project, aims to improve global food security amid climate change challenges. By bypassing inefficient photorespiration, the modified potatoes utilized energy better, crucial for future crop resilience. Results suggest potential applications for other crops like cassava in affected regions.

December 4, 2024

Kenyan farmers embrace biotech potatoes: A new era in combating late blight

The Feed the Future Global Biotech Potato Partnership has achieved promising results in field trials of bio-engineered potatoes with broad-spectrum resistance to late blight. Conducted in Kenya by KALRO, CIP, and AATF, biotech potatoes outyielded conventional varieties by a significant margin, registering 59.7 tons per hectare versus 5.1. These innovations are set to enhance food security and economic stability for smallholder farmers in Africa and Asia.

October 2, 2024

Global Biotech Potato Partnership grows: Nigeria tests late blight resistant potatoes across three trial sites

The Global Biotech Potato Partnership in Nigeria has expanded its field trials of late blight resistant potatoes to three locations: Bokus, Kuru, and Mambilla. These trials aim to gather crucial data on genetically engineered potato varieties developed by CIP and MSU. Led by NRCRI and supported by AATF, the project seeks regulatory approval for general release by early 2026.

July 24, 2024

Michigan’s new potato variety gets green light

A potato variety developed by Michigan State University, Kal91.3, is nearing commercialization after a decade of research. The variety, a derivative of the Kalkaska potato, promises improved storage life due to stabilized sugar content. Exempt from USDA biotechnology regulations, Kal91.3 represents the first genetically engineered vegetable by a land-grant university. It meets high standards for growers, processors, and consumers alike.

July 1, 2024

Michigan State University’s new potato variety: Genetically engineered for longer storage, less browning and less fertilizer use

Michigan State University developed a genetically engineered potato, the Kal91.3, exempt from USDA APHIS biotechnology regulations. Created by Dave Douches using RNA interference, it stabilizes sugars in cold storage, reducing off-color browning and caramelization. The Kal91.3 can be stored at 40°F and requires fewer fertilizers and pesticides, offering environmental benefits. It potentially stabilizes Michigan’s potato industry by providing a steady supply for chips and addresses climate resilience.

June 4, 2024

Glyphosate under fire: Scientists struggle to find effective alternatives, experts warn of unintended consequences

Amid concerns about glyphosate, the most used herbicide globally, scientists struggle to find safe, effective alternatives, according to a Genetic Literacy Project (GLP) article by Andrew Porterfield and Jon Entine. Their analysis reveals exaggerated health concerns and underscores glyphosate’s proven safety. However, existing substitutes lack efficacy, increasing costs and environmental risks. The authors argue for a balanced, research-driven approach to replacing glyphosate.

May 15, 2024

As the EU stalls, leading plant breeder warns that England must not let precision breeding opportunity slip

Nigel Moore highlights Britain’s opportunity to lead in plant breeding due to delays in the EU’s gene editing advancements. He expresses concerns over potential restrictive measures in the Precision Breeding Act’s secondary legislation, which may hinder the UK’s progress in agricultural innovation. Moore discusses the act’s attractiveness to investors and significant potential applications, such as enhanced crop yields. One potential application baby potatoes with ‘bunched’ root architecture which allow almost three times as many tubers to be produced from the same area of farmland.

May 13, 2024

‘From hand-pulling to high tech’: The balancing act of sustainable weed management in modern farming

Jon Entine’s article published by the Genetic Literacy Project (GLP) discusses the evolution of weed management in agriculture, from primitive methods to modern biotechnological advances. While chemical herbicides and GM crops have increased yields and efficiency, concerns about environmental and health impacts persist. Organic advocates promote more sustainable practices like crop rotation and biological controls. Entine stresses the need for an evidence-based, integrated approach combining traditional and innovative methods to ensure agriculture’s sustainability and safety.

April 30, 2024

GM potatoes to be released to Nigerian farmers in 2025

Beginning in the 2025 planting season, Nigerian farmers will have access to new late blight-resistant potato varieties, according to Dr. Charles Amadi of NRCRI. This development is part of the USAID-funded GBPP, led by Michigan State University, in collaboration with multiple partners. The varieties promise to address the blight that devastates over 90% of crops in Nigeria.

March 21, 2024

Kenya’s breakthrough with biotech: Embracing GMO potatoes for a better future

Kenya’s recent agricultural initiatives include the adoption of genetically modified organisms to address climate change and food security issues. The article by James Kamuye Kataru discusses Kenya’s significant step towards innovation with the introduction of a late blight resistant biotech potato, developed through a collaboration involving KALRO, the International Potato Center, and Michigan State University. This advancement aims to increase farmer incomes, reduce fungicide use, improve crop yields, and set a pioneering example for other agricultural nations.

February 16, 2024

‘Perceptions and emotions’: How consumers in the U.S. and Switzerland view New Genomic Techniques in agriculture

Scientists from ETH Zurich, Arizona State University and the University of Oregon studied U.S. and Swiss attitudes toward agricultural New Genomic Techniques (NGTs). Approximately 50% of survey participants viewed NGTs like blight-resistant potatoes and gluten-free wheat positively; emotional response influenced acceptance, with Swiss showing more skepticism due to stricter regulations. Preferences for organic food did not correlate with NGT acceptance, suggesting the need for the organic sector to reassess consumer expectations in the face of new technologies.

January 19, 2024

Gamma rays meet their match: Researcher develops new potato that sniffs out nuclear radiations

Rob Sears, a PhD student at the University of Tennessee, developed a potato plant that glows green in response to gamma radiation, serving as a natural radiation detector. This phytosensor is ideal for widespread use due to potatoes’ resilience and adaptability. The innovation offers a simple, cost-effective method for radiation monitoring, potentially enhancing safety in nuclear energy contexts. As nuclear energy continues to be used across the world, there is an increased demand for effective and easily accessible radiation detection methods.

November 22, 2023

Argentinian scientists develop first Latin American genetically edited potato to prevent enzymatic browning

Argentinian scientists from INTA are set to release Latin America’s first genetically edited potato, developed using CRISPR-Cas9 technology. This innovation, part of Dr. Matías González’s doctoral thesis, aims to inhibit the gene causing enzymatic browning, a process that affects potatoes’ flavor, texture, and nutritional value. The edited potato could significantly reduce food waste and financial losses for farmers and retailers.

November 13, 2023

Kenyan scientists developed new GM potato variety free from late blight disease

Kenyan researchers have engineered a blight-resistant GM potato, potentially transforming agriculture by increasing yields and minimizing pesticide use. The “Global Biotech Potato Partnership” project has shown promising results in confined field trials across Uganda, Kenya, and Nigeria. The collaborative project, after promising trials, anticipates boosting harvests from 10 to 40 tonnes per hectare. Awaiting regulatory approval, this innovation could significantly enhance food security and sustainability, marking a major advance in biotech crops.

November 8, 2023

A new era for potatoes: Canadian-led study develops genetic roadmap for climate resilience

A Canadian-led team has developed a comprehensive genetic roadmap of the potato to enhance its resilience to climate change. The study, led by McGill University’s Martina Strömvik, created a super-pangenome of the potato, identifying genetic variations that could be used to breed hybrid, climate-resilient varieties. The research could help develop potato varieties resistant to extreme weather and diseases, using CRISPR gene-editing technology.

July 24, 2023

Global food production soars by 390% since 1960: The role of innovation and GM crops

Global food production has surged by 390% since 1960. This achievement is largely credited to the integration of modern seed genetics, including genetically modified (GM) crops, and the strategic use of chemicals and fertilizers, according to a report published by the Genetic Literacy Project. These innovations have improved soil health, reduced environmental impacts, and boosted crop yields. The report warns that restrictions on these technologies could undermine climate mitigation.

July 24, 2023

Increased nutritional value in genetically modified potato plant sparks USDA review

The US Department of Agriculture’s Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) conducted a review of genetically modified soybean, tomato, and potato plants to assess potential risks. A modified plant, developed by Ohalo Genetics, produces higher levels of beta-carotene for enhanced nutritional value. APHIS determines whether these plants pose a greater plant pest risk compared to non-modified plants and issues a response accordingly.

June 27, 2023

New Act enables scientists to improve crops in England

With the recent Precision Breeding Act passed, England now has the opportunity to capitalise on its world-leading research base in plant sciences and make agriculture more sustainable. Prof. Jonathan Jones FRS, Group Leader at The Sainsbury Laboratory who developed a GM fully late blight resistant PiperPlus potato, says “After many decades researching the science that can make our crops resistant to disease and less reliant on fungicides, I am delighted to finally see changes in legislation that will allow some of these innovations to be applied in the field.

April 3, 2023

Upcoming WPC webinar to focus on the importance of late blight resistant biotech potatoes in Africa

The World Potato Congress Inc. is pleased to announce its March webinar with Dr. Marc Ghislain and Dr. Eric Magembe. The webinar is scheduled to be presented live on Tuesday March 21, 2023 at 10:00am EST (Canada/USA). The webinar is titled “Deployment of late blight resistant biotech potatoes in Africa”.

March 15, 2023