Omics-Directed Reverse Genetics Enables the Creation of Improved Productivity Traits in Canola

Bayer CropScience has established a highly efficient mutagenesis-based and omics-directed reverse genetics platform to create new traits or improved characteristics in the vegetable oil crop canola (Brassica napus). The reverse genetics process as well as its associated benefits, limitations, challenges and case examples of relevant traits in Bayer’s R&D pipeline will be highlighted at the conference.

Bayer CropScience is using its reverse genetics platform to improve certain plant characteristics including pod shattering, grain yield components and oil composition, and to develop traits such as herbicide tolerance. Traits developed through mutagenesis-based reverse genetics can easily be commercialized in all geographies. Hence, the timelines for their development are relatively short.

InVigor® hybrids complemented with the pod shatter reduction trait have been launched in Canada during the 2014 summer season and the trait will be introduced in European hybrids later on. Other traits are being created and developed. However, the utility of the reverse genetics approach is currently limited to each crop’s own gene pool and the natural range of expression levels of these genes. Where trait development requires access to a wider gene pool, or modulation of gene expression both in terms of level, tissue-time point and functional specificity beyond the natural variation in the plant, genetic engineering continues to be the method of choice. Hence, the platform is complementary to traditional genetic engineering.