SAO PAULO & SHANGHAI--()--FuturaGene, a world leader in the enhancement of yield and sustainability of woody crops for plantation forestry, biopower and biofuel markets, has launched four field trials for selection and improvement of plant species in Gansu province, in northwestern China. The trials will evaluate the potential of woody crops and certain shrub varieties to combat desertification, enable soil regeneration and produce economic offtake for biopower and liquid biofuels.
Two of the trials comprise different species of native woody shrubs in collaboration with Gansu Desert Control Research Institute (GDC) and the Jingtai Forestry Bureau. One of these trials is both irrigated and intercropped with cash crops, to bring immediate benefit to local farmers. Two additional trials consist of several drought tolerant tree species suitable for short rotation coppicing.
These trials represent the start of a 4-year long project to evaluate the potential of the plants to provide ecosystem services (carbon sequestration, desert reversal, soil restoration), as well as socio-economic benefits such as intercropping and bioenergy offtake. Varieties selected for their potential from these trials will be improved by breeding and advanced biotechnology.
Major goals of this desert control campaign are to stimulate the active participation of the farmers through bringing them and their families direct economic benefits, to provide training in advanced plantation management techniques and to find suitable plant species for different industrial applications in the area. Upon successful completion of the project, FuturaGene intends to scale up its activities in Gansu and replicate the project in similar environments around the world, providing solutions for ecosystem restoration and regeneration, energy security and rural development in regions affected by desertification and soil degradation.
Dr Stanley Hirsch, CEO of FuturaGene, said:
“The desertification of land caused by wind and water erosion, salinization or freeze-thawing is a major ecological problem in China with almost 30% of the national land area being affected. The vegetation in the desertified area in Northern China is still in preliminary stages of development and requires significant improvement in order to enhance its ecosystem service potential and to serve as an economic crop base. We would like to work with the local communities to change the desert from a sandstorm cradle to a green economy driving force.”
“This is a great example of how FuturaGene is working with local partners to find socio-economically relevant solutions for chronic environmental problems and to explore the potential to provide energy and economic benefits for vulnerable communities.”
-Ends-
About FuturaGene - www.futuragene.com
FuturaGene, with facilities in Brazil, China and Israel is a leader in plant genetic research and development for the global forestry, biopower and biofuel markets. FuturaGene develops sustainable, ecologically sound technology to meet the ever increasing demands for fiber, fuel and energy crops in the face of declining land and water resources.
FuturaGene’s crop development is focused through two main technology platforms: yield and processability enhancement - driving gains in yield during crop growth and greater processability of crop, post-harvest; and yield protection to protect strategic crops from emerging threats caused by changing climate and diminishing resources and to enable marginal land usage.
FuturaGene’s key crops are eucalyptus and poplar and its most advanced technologies are for yield improvement in sustainable industrial forestry. FuturaGene has fully integrated capabilities from gene sourcing and discovery, through development and in-house regulatory capability, large scale field trial capacity to market channels and captive off-take. It is uniquely positioned as one of the few biotech companies, outside of the “majors”, which has taken a new trait from the lab to late stage regulatory development.
Since July 2010, FuturaGene has been a wholly owned subsidiary of Suzano Pulp and Paper, a leading integrated forestry, pulp, paper and renewable energy company in Brazil. As a wholly owned subsidiary of Suzano, FuturaGene continues its worldwide biotech activities with enhanced resources driving its mission to be a world leader in sustainable plant genetic research and development.
Photos/Multimedia Gallery Available: http://www.businesswire.com/cgi-bin/mmg.cgi?eid=50367447&lang=en
