Status of transgenic crops in Argentina

Abstract

Well‐established regulatory frameworks for the evaluation of genetically modified organism (GMO), together with a long tradition in plant breeding, are some of the reasons for the adoption rate of this technology in Argentina. In October 2015, the first two GMOs developed in Argentina for drought‐tolerant soybean and the Potato virus Y (PVY) resistant potato. All genetically modified crops released in Argentina for commercialization were developed by private companies. Public institutions are working on potatoes, sugar cane, sweet orange, and wheat, among other crops, and several of these have a potential in international markets. Successive field testing of selected lines allowed the identification of two genetically stable PVY‐resistant lines, SY230 and SY233, which were evaluated in field trials at different potato‐producing regions in Argentina. These virus affected plants are now under assessment by Commission on Agricultural Biotechnology (CONABIA) for its commercial release.