Cibus Announces Successful Field Trial Results for Non-GMO Canola Trait Providing Tolerance to White
Cibus announced that field trials have confirmed greenhouse results of a non-GMO trait that provides tolerance to white mold, or Sclerotinia. This announcement is important on multiple fronts. First, it represents a huge benchmark met for Cibus in its mission to breed resilient plants using its Rapid Trait Development System (RTDS), and it also is indicative of a win for science and an advancement against a difficult challenge that has so far been unmet by GMO and traditional technologies.
White mold can affect as much as 30 percent of canola fields per year - and in 2016, as much as 90 percent of canola fields, according to the Canola Council of Canada. These affected fields can see yield losses of 7-15 percent, with per-plant yield losses of as much as 50 percent.
This trait developed by Cibus is one of 14 traits developed by the company that are ruled by the USDA to not be subject to GM regulations, but as being developed using conventional practices. Additionally, white mold affects a number of crops, including soybeans, and the company foresees that its platform will enable tolerance development beyond canola.
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