Drought-Tolerant Crops Available in the Next Decade?

Experts predict that the current consumption rate of water for agriculture is not sustainable and that by 2025 two out of three people will live in drought or water-stressed conditions. In addition, erratic weather patterns and the possibility of warmer temperatures from climate change will increase the threat of crop failures and food shortages.

Fortunately, research in agricultural biotechnology holds the promise of high yield crops that will be able to withstand environmental stresses.

Speaking at the BIO International Convention in San Diego on a panel hosted by the Council for Biotechnology Information (CBI), Dr. Chris Zinselmeier, Program Leader for Water Optimization Technologies for Syngenta, stated, "We are seeing very positive results in experimental lines of plants under drought conditions and can be optimistic about bringing these plants to market in the next decade."

For more than a decade, farmers have used plants improved through biotechnology to help combat environmental stresses such as insects and weeds. Today, researchers in agricultural biotechnology are developing a new generation of plants that are optimized to maintain yield capacity through periods of water scarcity. In effect, these plants will have the ability to use water more efficiently, producing "more crop per drop" of water.

Field testing for the development of drought-tolerant corn, cotton, canola and other crops is well underway and preliminary results have been positive. Such developments could result in improved yields in variable or dry years, less need for irrigation in normal years and better yields on land previously considered marginal for cost-effective production.