The Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD) defines biotechnology as: “any technological application that uses biological systems, living organisms, or derivatives thereof, to make or modify products or processes for specific use”.
These technologies are applied in crops, forestry, livestock and aquaculture, and in food processing.
They are used for many different purposes, such as the genetic improvement of plants and animals to increase their yields or efficiency; characterisation and conservation of genetic resources for food and agriculture; plant and animal disease diagnosis; vaccine development; and production of fermented foods.
Source: www.fao.org/biotechnology/en/ (adapted)
The publication, Biotechnologies for Agricultural Development, which can be downloaded at www.fao.org, discusses the following points in detail. The notes below are taken from that publication.
Biotechnologies used for crops include tissue culture based techniques (such as micropropagation), mutagenesis (the use of agents like chemicals or radiation to modify DNA), interspecific or intergeneric hybridisation, genetic modification, marker-assisted selection (MAS), disease diagnostics and bioprotection, and biofertilisation.
It is important to underline that biotechnology can assist and expand, but not substitute, traditional plant breeding programmes. The presence of skilled personnel and adequate facilities for the identification of appropriate parents and segregating materials, as well as the selection of improved lines for their stabilisation and agronomic assessment, are essential. Even countries that decide to rely on research results obtained abroad, for instance in neighbouring countries with similar ecological conditions, need capacities for the evaluation, adaptation and adoption of improved lines developed elsewhere. Investments in biotechnology infrastructures and human capacities cannot therefore be made at the expense of conventional breeding or agronomic research and strong breeding programmes must remain at the core of crop improvement.
Source: Biotechnologies for Agricultural Development, p 28
Artificial insemination (AI), Embryo Transfer (ET) and use of molecular markers is the focus. A wide range of biotechnologies are available and have already been used in developing countries in the main animal science disciplines, i.e. animal reproduction, genetics and breeding; animal nutrition and production; and animal health.
In animal reproduction, genetics and breeding, artificial insemination (AI) has perhaps been the most widely applied animal biotechnology, particularly in combination with cryopreservation, allowing significant genetic improvement for productivity as well as the global dissemination of selected male germplasm. Complementary technologies such as monitoring reproductive hormones, oestrus synchronization and semen sexing can improve the efficiency of AI. Embryo transfer provides the same opportunities for females, albeit on a much smaller scale and at a much greater price. Molecular DNA markers can also be used for genetic improvement through marker-assisted selection (MAS) as well as to characterise and conserve animal genetic resources. [p 123]
Biotechnologies for Agricultural Development identifies and looks at the following:
Products from biotechnological processes are added to animal feeds e.g. nutrients, enzymes, probiotics and prebiotics. Biotechnology also advances measures to benefit e.g. sterile insect technique (SIT) to counter insects like tsetse fly which cause livestock disease.
The focus is on micropropagation. Micropropagation includes somatic embryogenesis (SE), a tissue culture technique. Other biotechnologies include molecular markers and quantitative trait locus (QTL) analyses, whole genome sequencing and functional genomics. The more sophisticated group of biotechnologies includes backward and reverse genomics approaches, whole-genome sequencing, low-cost vegetative propagation and genetic modification of forest trees. Biofertilisers and biopesticides also play a part. [p79]
The four main areas where biotechnologies have been used in aquaculture and fisheries include genetic improvement and control of reproduction; biosecurity and disease control; environmental management and bioremediation; and biodiversity conservation and fisheries management.
Biotechnology makes use of microbial inoculants to enhance properties such as the taste, aroma, shelf-life, texture and nutritional value of foods through fermentation which is also widely applied to produce microbial cultures, enzymes, flavours, fragrances, food additives and a range of other high value-added products.
Centres supported by the Consultative Group on International Agricultural Research (CGIAR) operate genebanks containing more than 650 000 samples of staple crops and related wild species. Those materials include traditional varieties developed through many generations of selection by farmers, as well as wild species, crop breeding lines and improved varieties. See www.cgiar.org/research/research-centers. Some of these are listed below.
| Centre and website | Genebank |
| Africa Rice Centre (WARDA) www.africarice.org | Rice |
| International Centre for Tropical Agriculture (CIAT) – https://ciat.cgiar.org | Beans, cassava, forages |
| Center for International Forestry Research (CIFOR) – www.cifor.org | Forestry |
| International Maize and Wheat Improvement Centre (CIMMYT) www.cimmyt.org | Maize, rye, triticale, wheat |
| International Potato Centre (CIP) https://cipotato.org | Andean roots and tubers, potato, sweetpotato |
| International Centre for Agricultural Research in the Dry Areas (ICARDA) www.icarda.org | Barley, chickpea, faba bean, forage, lentil, wheat |
| World Agroforestry Centre www.worldagroforestry.org | Forestry |
| International Crops Research Institute for the Semi-Arid Tropics (ICRISAT) www.icrisat.org | Chickpea, groundnut, pearl millet and other millets, pigeonpea, sorghum |
| International Institute for Tropical Agriculture (IITA) – www.iita.org | Bambara groundnut, cassava, cowpea, soybean, yam |
| International Livestock Research Institute www.ilri.org | Forages |
| International Rice Research Institute (IRRI) http://irri.org | Rice |
GMO maize, soybean and cotton are approved and well established in commercial production in South Africa. The annual report of the South African National Seed Organisation (SANSOR) includes a Gentically Modified Seed chapter. This captures the developments and sales relevant to this sector. Find it at www.sansor.org.
GMO testing is a legislative requirement in the grain industry. Requirements of the Cartagena Protocol make it essential to test grain for GMO presence.
Two common methods are used for testing of GMO:
Studies have shown that the lateral flow strip shows excellent is ideal for screening throughout the supply chain, from the field to the silo and every step in between, and all this while maintaining a relatively accurate result.
While polymerase chain reaction (PCR) is considered as the “gold standard” for certifying non-GMO maize for export; It is not always feasible to perform PCR at every stage of the supply chain because it of time and cost constraints.
During importation and exportation, grain needs to be tested at the harbours and borders to prevent GMO grain from entering a non-GMO area. Testing after arrival at a grain processors’ facility is important to pick up any contamination that could have occurred during loading and transportation.
In most cases this neglected, since the PCR techniques are not simple to perform and requires time which may not be available.
Most industry, farmers, and users requiring rapid results are moving toward Lateral flow devices. Results are available immediately and time is not wasted by waiting for laboratory results which can take days. The lateral flow devices help the grain move faster through the supply chain.
The greatest need of any industry is time, and Lateral Flow devices offer exactly this to the user. It is a growing trend, and the move toward Rapid GMO testing has enabled decisions on storage and transportation of product to be made quickly and accurately.
Source: Stargate Scientific. Visit them at www.stargatescientific.co.za.
Visit the websites listed earlier on this page.
