AgResearch and its partners are seeking government approval for contained outdoor trials of gene-edited ryegrass.
An application will be submitted to the Environmental Protection Authority (EPA) for approval to grow ryegrass that includes gene-edited Epichloë endophytes in a contained outdoor trial.
“These Epichloë endophytes live inside ryegrass and form a mutually beneficial relationship with the ryegrass,” according to information in an AgResearch newsletter.
“Natural substances released by the endophytes deter insect pests from eating the ryegrass and improve plant growth and persistence, which collectively results in a reduced need for chemical pesticides and increases efficiencies in milk and meat production for NZ.”
AgResearch said there is a very low risk of genetic material travelling outside the contained site with any genetic material reproduced confined to that site.
AgResearch scientists, along with commercial partners PGG Wrightson Seeds and Grasslanz Technology, have identified gene editing changes that result in greater plant protection and less harm to livestock.
The ryegrass variety is being trialled outdoors in Australia and if approved here it will allow scientists to test it in NZ outdoor conditions.
The last time approval was given for the outdoor trial of a genetically modified plant was 2010, when Scion gained permission for genetically modified radiata pine trees.
Meanwhile, development of AgResearch’s high metabolisable energy (HME) ryegrass is continuing in NZ with scientists successfully replacing a sesame component with one from rice to provide added reassurance about the risk of allergic reactions.
One component of the modification includes a protein known as sesame oleosin from the sesame plant, which helps in the formation and stabilising of the increased fats in the plant.
When applying to Australia’s Office of the Gene Technology Regulator (OGTR) last year to conduct growing trials of HME ryegrass, concerns were raised about the risk from sesame, a known food allergen
“While AgResearch scientists had confidence that this sesame oleosin was not being expressed in the pollen of HME ryegrass, a decision was made to identify an alternative oleosin to provide certainty for external parties such as the OGTR.”
Rice was chosen as it is consumed globally and rice oleosins are not considered allergenic.
The change does not affect the quality or function of the ryegrass.
Laboratory trials of HME have shown it could reduce methane emissions by 10 to 15%, and improve animal nutrition and reduce urinary nitrogen excretion, lowering nitrous oxide emissions and nitrate leaching.
AgResearch scientists have been working with the government, Grasslanz Technology, PGG Wrightson Seeds and DairyNZ in developing the HME ryegrass.
Livestock trials will start later this year.
Field trials are continuing in Australia for High Condensed Tannin (HiCT) white clover, which potentially offers environmental and animal health benefits.
AgResearch scientists along with PGG Wrightson Seeds and Grasslanz Technology have genetically modified the white clover with a gene taken from another species of clover to increase the condensed tannins content in leaves.
Laboratory results suggest reductions in methane emissions of more than 15% could be achieved while also reducing issues of bloat in stock.
The clover is being grown under a bee-exclusion tent in field trials in the Australian state of Victoria.
