Bayer CropScience and Chinese OCRI Sign Agreements for Oilseed Research Collaboration   


Bayer CropScience and the Chinese Oil Crops Research Institute (OCRI) have finalized two agreements in the area of oilseed rape research. The parties have agreed to conduct a joint research collaboration related to increasing seed oil content and resistance against the fungal disease Sclerotinia in oilseed rape.
   Increasing seed oil content is an important target for Bayer CropScience's oilseed rape research in the context of maximizing oil yield which ultimately delivers premiums to farmers and further strengthens the competitiveness of Bayer CropScience's leading oilseed rape hybrids. Sclerotinia is a widely spread and challenging fungal disease in oilseed rape which can cause yield losses up to 20%. Hence Bayer CropScience and OCRI will join research efforts to utilize genes relating to oil content and Sclerotinia resistance using molecular breeding or genetic engineering to better protect and further enhance the oilseed crop.
   Bayer CropScience is a market leader in North-America with InVigor R hybrids and its crop protection solutions. The company plans to further expand its business into other oilseed rape-growing regions such as Europe and Asia-Pacific, to give even more farmers greater choices in quality hybrid oilseeds.
   Since around 60% of the edible oil consumed in China relies on importation, further cooperation with Bayer CropScience based on OCRI progress is helpful to increase the global edible oil supplies. This cooperation will therefore contribute to improving the vegetable oil security of China in return, said Dr. Hanzhong Wang, Director General of OCRI-CAAS.