Giza, Egypt
November 9, 2007
Source:
CropBiotech Update
The Bt maize trials in Egypt
demonstrated that the crop is highly resistant to maize borers.
Prof. Magdy Masoud, faculty of agriculture at Saba Basha,
Alexandria, said that "Insect infestation in the conventional
maize variety was 78% while the Bt maize was not affected at
all".
Ear weight compared to the total plant weight was 34% in the
conventional Bt maize and 54% in the Bt variety. Silage
production was 28% higher in the Bt maize than the conventional
variety. Masoud briefed Members of the Egyptian National
Biosafety Committee and representatives of the Egyptian maize
program and the Agricultural Economic Institute who witnessed
the harvesting of the crop in Basioun, Gharbia.
For further information contact Dr. Ismail Abdel Hamid,
Egyptian Biotechnology
Information Center director, at
ismail@egypt-bic.com. |
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