b"of more than 10 years of intensive trials of genetically modifiedures only to the affected plants and to do it in a timely manner. (GM) cowpea and a breakthrough in eradicating Maruca vitrataThe most promising approach to the analysis of the plant status pod borer, an insect that can cause up to 80 per cent yield loss. is to measure the reflected light in the visible range, since the According to the PBR cowpea projects principal investigatorreflectivity of the plants is closely related to their physiological Mohammad Ishayaku, SAMPEA 20-T is high yielding, early matur- and biochemical processes and the measurement of the reflected ing and also resistant to Striga and Alectra, two notorious para- light is relatively simple from the technical point of view, says sitic weeds that are a major constraint to cowpea production inVladimir Sukhov, head of the Electrophysiology Laboratory at most producing areas in Nigeria and other dry savannah regions.the UNN Institute of Biology and Biomedicine.The protein and nutrient content of variety SAMPEA 20-TThe aim of the research performed by Ekaterina Sukhova, is the same as that of other conventional varieties meaning thatPhD student at the Department of Biophysics, UNN Institute of the Bt gene that was introduced into the variety has no nega- Biology and Biomedicine, together with her colleagues was to tive influence on the nutritional composition of both grain andcarry out experimental analysis of the mechanisms underlying fodder, says Ishiyaku. the PRI decrease after the start of illumination. In particular, the authors analyzed the connection between the changes of photo-chemical reflectance index and the acidification of the lumen of STATUS PHILIPPINES the chloroplasts exposed to light. This research was supported by the Russian Science Foundation and its results were published The Philippine Department of Agriculture-Bureau of Plantin the journal Biochemistry (Moscow), Supplement Series A: Industry (DA-BPI) has issued a biosafety permit to theMembrane and Cell Biology.Philippine Rice Research Institute (PhilRice) and InternationalThe study showed that when light was switched on, chlo-Rice Research Institute (IRRI) for GR2E Golden Rice for directroplast lumen acidification occurred simultaneously with the use as food and feed, or for processing (FFP). After rigorousreduction in PRI of pea and geranium leaves. Both processes biosafety assessment, DA-BPI has found Golden Rice to be asdeveloped synchronously during the first two minutes of illumi-safe as conventional rice.nation, which was confirmed by the high correlation coefficient PhilRice Executive Director John de Leon welcomed thebetween the two parameters studied. (Source: Lobachevsky positive regulatory decision. With this FFP approval, we bringUniversity)forward a very accessible solution to our country's problem on Vitamin A deficiency that's affecting many of our pre-school chil-dren and pregnant women. IRRI Director General Matthew Morrell says, IRRI is pleased to partner with PhilRice to develop this nutrition-sen-sitive agricultural solution to address hidden hunger. This is the core of IRRIs purpose: to tailor global solutions to local needs. The Philippines has long recognized the potential to harness biotechnology to help address food and nutrition security, envi-ronmental safety, as well as improve the livelihoods of farmers. In the Philippines, Vitamin A deficiency (VAD) affects 20.4 per cent of children aged six months to five years. The beta-car-otene of Golden Rice aims to provide 30-50 per cent of the esti-mated average requirement of Vitamin A for pregnant women and young children.The Philippines now joins a select group of countries that have affirmed the safety of Golden Rice. In 2018, Food Standards Australia New Zealand, Health Canada, and the United States Food and Drug Administration published positive food safety assessments for Golden Rice. A biosafety application was lodged in November 2017 and is currently undergoing review by the Biosafety Core Committee in Bangladesh.STATUS RUSSIACurrently, agriculture remains one of the most labour-intensive and vital sectors of human activity. For Lobachevsky University scientists, increasing its efficiency is one of their research priorities that requires the development of new methods and approaches, including methods for remote monitoring of the crops.In particular, remote monitoring facilitates early detec-tion of stressor-induced damage to plants and localization of the affected area, thus making it possible to apply protection meas-EUROPEAN-SEED.COMIEUROPEAN SEED I 43"