The potato starch manufacturer Avebe and the plant biotechnology company BASF Plant Science announced a research and development alliance in plant biotechnology. The companies are combining their competencies in biotechnology discovery and genetically modified potato breeding with the aim of bringing farmers modern and fungal resistant starch potato varieties. They will start developing a late blight resistant amylopectin starch potato. Late blight is a serious problem in potato farming in Europe. The companies expect the first varieties to be available on the market by 2019 onwards. Financial details of the collaboration were not disclosed.

Both companies will bring in their know-how in the field of developing genetically modified amylopectin potato varieties. The companies complement each other with BASF Plant Science providing the regulatory approval experience and Avebe contributing its breeding and starch application development expertise.

About Genetically Modified Amylopectin Starch Potatoes
Conventional potatoes produce a mixture of amylopectin and amylose starch. For many technical applications, such as in the paper, textile and adhesives industries, only amylopectin starch is needed. Separating the two starch components is uneconomical and environmental unfriendly. After having switched off the gene for the production of amylose, the amylopectin starch potato produces pure amylopectin starch and thus helps to save resources, energy and costs.

In addition, the resistance against major potato diseases such as late blight caused by Phytophthora infestans will lead to a better control of fungal diseases and thereby reduce the production costs of amylopectin starch further.