Australia’s Office of the Gene Technology Regulator (OGTR) has received an application from The University of Adelaide for the limited and controlled release of genetically modified (GM) wheat and barley for a field trial for yield enhancement. The trial period will last from May 2024 to January 2029, can take place on up to a total of 2 hectares per year at a singular site and is not to be used in commercial food or animal feed.

The University of Adelaide has made the following genetic modifications:

• Wheat;
  • Expression of three genes involved in yield enhancement (expressed both individually and in combination)
  • Expression of five genes involved in yield enhancement and water use efficiency (expressed individually)
  • Knockout of two endogenous genes involved in yield enhancement
• Barley;
  • Knockout of eight endogenous genes involved in yield, architecture, and nutrient use efficiency