The wheat and barley lines from the University of Adelaide (Australia) have been genetically modified to enhance nutrient utilisation and stress tolerance.

Earlier this month, CSIRO also revealed it was conducting GM research on cereals in Corrigin (Western Australia) this year.

The trials are to be held on three sites, one in Corrigin, two in South Australian local government areas of Marion and Wakefield.

Each GM wheat or barley line out of the University of Adelaide program will contain one of 35 genes encoding proteins expected to enhance salinity, drought and cold/frost tolerance, tolerance to low phosphorus, nitrogen use efficiency or enhanced zinc uptake and translocation.

One gene from barley encodes a protein involved in improved nitrogen use efficiency.

The purpose of the trial is to assess the agronomic performance of the GM wheat and barley lines for biomass production, grain weight and yield under rain-fed, drought and saline soil conditions.

The GM wheat and barley will not be used for human or animal consumption.

All of the GM wheat and barley lines also contain an antibiotic resistance selectable marker derived from a common gut bacterium. The gene was used in the laboratory during initial development of the GM plants.

The University of Adelaide has applied for a licence for dealings involving the intentional release of up to 1161 lines of GM wheat and 1179 lines of GM barley on a limited scale and under controlled conditions.

The trial is proposed for a maximum area of 0.75 hectares and is to run between June 2010 and December 2015.

The trials are looking at the gene aspect of GM wheat and barley and the commercialisation of the new lines will not be available until all trials are finalised and all risks are assessed after 2015. 

Source: West Australian NewsPapers Limited