Drought-resistant biotech crop development tested in US

The US government has approved the trial of a biotech crop developed to deal with drought, with seed giant Monsanto to initiate plans this year.

There are several areas of the US that are abnormally dry, and some areas may face severe drought this year. Although the new crop is not a saviour for farmers in these conditions, it has been found to produce good yields of corn in areas where irrigation can be half as much as the national average when combined with new agricultural techniques.

On-farm trials from South Dakota to Texas are set to be initiated by the seed giant, using the tests to quantify how well the corn works before producing it on a commercial level next year. The gene used in the seed is taken from a bacterium commonly found in soil and vegetation.

The corn has been judged to be safe by the US Department of Agriculture, with an analysis from the USDA's Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service judging that it poses no environmental risk.

Posted by Lauren Steadman