Sugar Producer

May 2020

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www.SugarProducer.com 17 The announcement that the project has moved from its development to regulatory phase signifies that the particular genetic construct has been successfully incorporated into sugarbeet germplasm, and that it has stayed in beet germplasm when it was bred and grown again. In trials, the trait expressed itself in the plant enough to exhibit commercial tolerance to all three target herbicides applied at commercial rates. "We know it works," says Schmidt. "Now it's in the hands of breeders to use this trait in commercial hybrids that provide all the other benefits growers need to ensure productivity. Whether it's in Idaho, where growers need curly top tolerance, or Michigan, where they need more Rhizoctonia tolerance, or other markets, this additional trait will help fill the needs of each farmer in each growing region. "At the same time, all the regulatory work that needs to be done is being pursued." The regulatory phase includes testing to ensure the crop presents no problems for the environment or for human or animal consumption; breeding work to incorporate the trait into hybrids that will succeed in different regions; and pursuing registrations for each hybrid and the trait itself from federal, state and provincial governments. It's obviously a complicated process, but Schmidt believes growers and seed companies should start planning now to utilize this trait in the not-too-distant future (with, of course, the ever-present "pending approval" caveat). KWS's plan is for all sugarbeet seed brands in the North American marketplace to have access to the trait. Schmidt expects it to be adopted widely and incorporated into a large percentage of currently popular hybrids. "It's a good sign that the project has been moving from one phase to another," says Schmidt. "It indicates good progress. I think this offers growers a lot of choice and a more effective way to manage weeds in the future." n www.SugarProducer.com 17 A new trait developed by Bayer and KWS will provide growers with beet tolerant to three important herbicides.

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