Leibniz Institute in research agreement with Bayer

Collaboration

Bayer CropScience and the German Leibniz Institute of Plant Genetics and Crop Plant Research (IPK) have entered into a research agreement in which they will develop genetically modified, high-yielding canola (oilseed rape) hybrids. The aim is to incorporate advances made by IPK into Bayer’s InVigor Canola seed business in North America, and to develop oilseed rape products for global markets.

“This collaboration with a global company like Bayer CropScience demonstrates that our research is attracting international attention outside the scientific community”, said Andreas Graner, Managing Director of the IPK in Gatersleben. “[Using] basic research carried out at the IPK to breed improved agricultural crop plants is a major contribution towards safeguarding the food supply in the long term and providing renewable raw materials.”

Canola, a Canadian oilseed rape, is one of the most important crops for producing vegetable oils. Apart from its use in the food industry, it is a feedstock for biodiesel. The oil content of conventional Canola is around 45 per cent and Bayer and Leibniz believe that there is potential for increasing the oil content by genetic modification.