Oak Park Staff

Research Programme

For centuries, farmers have been improving and modifying their crops. Through the process of selective breeding, specific traits are identified and a hybrid line is created that expresses the desired agronomic character (e.g. high yield, disease resistance). This conventional form of breeding has had great success but by its nature has also imposed many restrictions. Modern day biotechnology provides a means to accelerate this pace of discovery and over the last decade especially, the application of this science to crop improvement has provided a tremendous insight into its potential.

Now, through biotechnology, a gene of interest that originates in bacteria, fungi, another plant or even an animal can now be inserted into a specific crop. As a consequence, certain crops now possess characteristics that previously would have been considered unattainable. Though potentially advantageous, the production of these transgenic or genetically modified (GM) plants has invoked public concern, in regard to the perceived impacts associated with the coexistence of GM and non-GM crops.

To address these concerns, we have undertaken to investigate the potential agronomic and environmental impact of a select number of GM crops that could provide an economic benefit to Irish farmers through reduced chemical input costs. We are currently investigating the agronomic potential of disease resistant potato and herbicide tolerant oilseed rape. In parallel, we are conducting a gene discovery programme in wheat, with the goal of isolating genes that could be transferred into wheat to confer increased resistance to the important leaf disease Septoria tritici. This is critically important in light of the decreased efficacy of existing fungicide regimes.

We have recently concluded a 2-year study to develop cost-effective production measures to facilitate the cultivation of GM herbicide tolerant oilseed rape in coexistence with non-GM oilseed rape cultivars. Employing the GENESYS gene flow modelling system, the goal of this study was to preserve the sustainability of existing non-GM oilseed rape systems in Ireland, should there be an uptake of GMHT oilseed rape in the near future.

To facilitate the transparent dissemination of research data into the public domain, all peer-reviewed research from the programme is available through the programme’s website, www.gmoInfo.ie.