Genetic Engineering

Genetic engineering is a technology to complement the conventional plant breeding. Genetic engineering offers the chance to transfer genes from other species into plants. It might be used, if the desired properties are not be transferred into the plant by conventional breeding methods.

Main focus of these activities is the development of resistance to many different diseases, e.g. fungus resistance of sugar beet (Cercospora), potato (Phytophthora) and wheat (Fusarium), virus resistance of sugar beet (Rizomania). Further aspects are the improvement of the processing quality and new ingredients in sugar beet and also the control of bolting/flowering und the frost tolerance of sugar beet.

The first genetically modified sugar beet (Roundup Ready® sugar beet) was launched in North America in 2007. The sugar beet has a tolerance against the herbicide agent Glyphosat. This Roundup Ready® sugar beet is approved for cultivation in USA, Canada and Japan. The importation of products from these sugar beets to be used as feed and food is approved in further 11 countries, including the EU.

The genetically modified maize with insect resistance and herbicide tolerance has been produced as a licensed product based on transgenic events from other companies. In Germany the first approved Bt-maize-variety from KWS is “Kuratus”, it has a resistance against the European corn borer.

In the last business year approx. 55% of the total business volume in the KWS group has been generated with GMOs. Most of this in the North American subsidiary of KWS (i.e. AgReliant). Here it is very important to offer GMOs to receive a share in the market to be competitive.