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| Israeli innovation now being used in Nigeria and Sudan. |
Rosetta Green is using a technology that can identify MicroRNAs, which are short RNA molecules that play an important role in the regulation of key genetic traits in major crops. The MicroRNAs identified by the company were used to develop prototype plants with significantly improved drought tolerance. The genetic modification was performed by plant tissue culture methods that result in genetic transformation, and this “improved trait” survives from one generation to another, according to Avniel.
Plants that were modified by this micro-RNA gene and control plants that did not undergo such modification were irrigated with salt water with triple the salinity level of seawater. Subsequently, both plant groups were put back on a regular irrigation conditions. Researchers found that only the genetically modified plants were able to recover from the severe stress and continued to grow, while control plants completely wilted.
The company’s CTO, Rudy Maor, told NoCamels that “the extreme conditions under which the experiment was conducted reinforce the importance of these genes and their advantage over other techniques used to improve plants.” Maor added that “agricultural areas constitute only about 10 percent of global land area and the development of advanced technologies that may render plants capable of growth in additional areas, such as deserts, is critical for food supply to the ever growing world population.” (nocamels).
(Photo: Copyright Control).
