Teagasc Crops Bioscience Facility to provide future benefits
10 August 2006
Developments in biotechnology have the potential to benefit Irish farmers by up to €250 million annually within the next 20 years, according to Professor Jimmy Burke, Head of Teagasc Crops Research Centre in Oak Park.
Professor Burke was speaking at the official opening of the new Crops Bioscience facility by the Minister for Agriculture and Food Mary Coughlan T.D, today Thursday 10 August. This new state-of-the-art facility includes a computer controlled, sealed laboratory and glass house complex, equipped with the most up to date research equipment.
Professor Burke predicted that using new technology scientists can significantly improve yield, disease resistance, nutritional content and many other attributes of food crops.
He said "The strategy for crop improvement through breeding new varieties in Ireland will be pursued using new tools of biotechnology such as marker assisted selection. These techniques are coming on stream as a result of the genome mapping research carried out worldwide."
In the new Crop Bioscience building, Teagasc scientists are leading research to sequence the potato genome. Oak Park is the home of Ireland’s potato breeding programme and has developed successful new varieties such as Rooster, which accounts for 50% of the total Irish potato acreage, and Cara.
Professor Burke said "In recent years a new plant biotechnology programme was initiated in order to build on the excellent track record in research such as plant breeding. The initiative was kick started by a €4 million investment in state-of-the-art facilities, and through the hiring of researchers with experience in the area.”
