Norfolk GM potato trial at half-way stage

Scientists are waiting for blight to test disease resistance at the half-way stage of a three-year GM potato trial on Norwich Research Park.

In February last year, scientists at the John Innes Centres Sainsbury Laboratory applied for formal permission to start a trial involving less than 200 GM potatoes.

Initial results for the first year showed that trial plots withstood disease pressure from blight. As yet, blight has not been detected on plants in the latest trial although the recent warmth and rain is ideal for rapid spread of infection.

And in the latest trial, which covers a similar area, plots have again been established inside a three-metre high security fence. It cost 20,000 to safeguard the 1,000 sq metre area from potential damage and once analysed, the potatoes will be destroyed and not enter the food chain.

This is where we find out whether it is worthwhile because if you put a resistance gene into a cultivated variety, this will test it against the diversity of plant pathogen races. You have to put it into a field and see how it works.