There might be a compromise for those who want genetically modified flax and those who don’t.
Agriculture Canada scientist Richard Gugel says Camelina sativa, also known as falseflax, could make a good delivery vehicle for researchers trying to produce compounds such as pharmaceuticals and plastics in oilseeds.
“It seems to have a lot going for it.”
While commonly thought of as a weed in North America, falseflax is an oilseed that shows potential as a candidate for genetic modification.
Most research into developing an oilseed that can be used to create biodegradable plastic and pharmaceuticals has so far focused on canola.
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Some scientists think flax is better suited than canola to genetic modification because it is primarily used to produce industrial products.
But flax growers don’t want GM flax introduced into Canada’s production system. They successfully fought the introduction of CDC Triffid and say they will resist other GM varieties – at least until the Europeans soften their stance on GMOs.
Falseflax may be the answer to both concerns. While it is similar to flax and other oilseeds, it doesn’t look the same and would be easy to keep separate.
“You see it, you know it. It is visually distinct,” Gugel said.”If you see it you know – do not eat.”
The crop is resistant to many of the disease and insect pests that plague canola. As well, one year of trials in Saskatoon had yields that compared well to canola and mustard.
Aside from last year’s yield trials, little research has been done on the crop. For instance, scientists don’t know its soil fertility requirements or what herbicides would work with it. They do know the seed size is small and could cause harvesting problems.
The Plant Biotechnology Institute is working with the crop, but more pathology and GM research is required before researchers will suggest using the crop to produce high-value industrial chemicals.
“We’re just scratching the surface here,” Gugel said.
