Researchers at the Leibniz Institute of Plant Genetics and Crop Plant Research IPK in Gatersleben (Germany) have developed a genetically modified wheat with altered sugar transport. In greenhouse trials, it showed significant increases in yield compared to the non-transformed control line. Together with the IPK, Agroscope investigated the effect of the genetic modification on the performance of winter wheat under field condition in comparison with conventional winter wheat varieties.
Progression of the Project
The permit for the field trial submitted by Agroscope was granted by the Federal Office for the Environment (FOEN) at the end of October 2016. The trial was conducted in the 2017, 2018 and 2019 field seasons. The monitoring of the former trial areas is still in progress.