The new soy plants would be resistant to Velvetbean caterpillar
, the major pest of soybeans in Brazil and Argentina.
Monsanto Brasil's president, Alfonso Alba, told reporters the new soy variety would bring economic benefits worth $1 billion a year in Latin America's farming giant, given current productivity losses of seven percent due to the pest.
As for herbicides, the beans would have a second-generation 'Roundup Ready' tolerance to glyphosate-based toxins. Beans with first-generation tolerance are already widely used in Brazil. The second generation use of the glyphosate tolerant gene allows for greater soybean yields, reported Reuters.
Related news items:
Monsanto seeks approval for new GM soy bean
GM corn approved for human consumption
Related website:
Monsanto
Monsanto Brasil's president, Alfonso Alba, told reporters the new soy variety would bring economic benefits worth $1 billion a year in Latin America's farming giant, given current productivity losses of seven percent due to the pest.
As for herbicides, the beans would have a second-generation 'Roundup Ready' tolerance to glyphosate-based toxins. Beans with first-generation tolerance are already widely used in Brazil. The second generation use of the glyphosate tolerant gene allows for greater soybean yields, reported Reuters.
Related news items:
Monsanto seeks approval for new GM soy bean
GM corn approved for human consumption
Related website:
Monsanto
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