US prepares to introduce drought-resistant GM-wheat

HB4 is a genetic trait already successfully implemented in Argentina by BioSeries. “Scientists took a gene from a sunflower, known for its drought tolerance, and inserted it into wheat. This gene influences hundreds of other genes, making the plant more stress-tolerant,” Erker said. The technology could significantly boost wheat yields under adverse weather conditions. However, Erker noted that it may take several years for US farmers to plant HB4 wheat due to regulatory approval processes. A key requirement is securing export market approvals, as seven countries, accounting for over 5% of US wheat exports, have yet to approve GM-wheat. This step is critical to ensuring access to international markets. The introduction of HB4 GMO wheat could be a significant step for ...