African GM crop is maize virus resistant

CAPE TOWN, South Africa, Aug. 16 (UPI) -- South African scientists have developed the first all-African genetically modified crop plant with resistance to the maize streak virus.

Researchers from the University of Cape Town and Pannar Seed Ltd., a South African seed company, said their achievement marks a significant advance in African agricultural biotechnology and is expected to help alleviate Africa’s food shortages and famines.

"MSV is transmitted to maize by small insects called leafhoppers," said Dionne Shepart, the study’s lead investigator. "The disease is therefore a result of a complex interplay between the plant, the virus and insect.

"We have created an MSV-resistant maize variety by genetic engineering, using an approach known as pathogen-derived resistance," said Shepart. "This means that a gene from the viral pathogen is used to protect the plant from that pathogen."

The next stage of the research will involve field trials to ensure the transformed crop is digestible, the protein is not an allergen and that it will be ecologically friendly to other organisms within the environment.

The crop will then be monitored during several growing seasons before it is made accessible to farmers.

The research appears in the journal Plant Biotechnology.