What is biotechnology?

Green biotechnology: Agriculture

Are biotechnological methods used in agriculture, experts tell it green biotechnology or agribiotechnology. Put simply, modern agriculture could not function without biotechnology. The basic principles for this were laid down primarily by plant genome research. One way or another, the genetic optimation of plants has always been the goal of farmers, even if it wasn’t put in such terms: Millennia ago, farmers selected and propagated those plants that showed evidence of desirable properties. Diligent crossbreeding and backbreeding has changed the genetic composition of plants so that they produce ever-sweeter apples or ever-larger cobs of corn. However, the events at the genetic level during crossbreeding and backbreeding remained a mystery until the 19th Century, when the work of Gregor Mendel laid the foundations for today's modern genetics. Since then, the secrets of plant genes continue to be revealed. The advantages of this knowledge are clear: In earlier times, breeders had to depend entirely on the observation and analysis of external characteristics, as well as trust their experience as to whether the plants created using crossbreeding actually contained the desired characteristics. The laboriousness of these processes for breeders – both in the past and today – is well demonstrated by the sometimes decades-long developmental periods of new varieties of plants. The advances in knowledge of genome researchers have contributed to significant changes in the field. The milestones of green biotechnology were consecutively the complete sequencing of the genome of the model plant Arabidopsis thaliana – otherwise known as thale cress - in 2000, and the deciphering of the rice genome two years later.

Genome research as a basis for smart breeding

Based on these findings and data, plant breeders are able to determine the useful properties of plants at the genetic level and localise the relevant genes in the genome. For breeders, this map of the plant genome saves enormous amounts of time and money. So-called marker-aided selection (MAS) means that plants can be targetedly separated very early in the breeding process if they exhibit a advantageous characteristic at the genetic level. In contrast to conventional breeding techniques, this means that it is no longer necessary to breed great numbers of descendants in test conditions to investigate their qualities. At the same time, a much deeper analysis of the possible interactions of the different properties is enabled. When varieties are bred in this way, it is known as smart breeding (precision breeding) – today a standard tool for nearly all plant breeders.

Alongside, the requirements demanded of the plants have grown enormously. On the fields, the select few plants that exhibit specific characteristics, meaning that they are well suited to specific cultivation and climatic conditions, are given top priority. Plant breeders’ objectives have also continued to change, and have taken on completely new dimensions as a result of the insights into the plant genome. What was too burdensome, too expensive or simply not feasible using the methods of classical breeding is today possible. For example, the genome of plants can now be targetedly modified, for instance to strengthen their defences against pests. The single approved GM crop in Germany – a GM maize – contains a gene from the soil bacterium Bacillus thuringiensis (Bt), making it resistant to corn borer. At the end of 2007, the acreage for this maize in Germany stood at 2,685 hectares. The largest cultivated area across the federal states could be found in Brandenburg. Here, across 61 locations, around 1,340 hectares of genetically modified corn plants were registered at the Federal Office of Consumer Protection and Food Safety (BVL). The second largest area was in Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania, followed by Saxony and Saxony-Anhalt.