b'missions to Uzbekistan and Kazakhstan and to the Caucasus are especially interesting as valuable germplasm was collected.Laan adds that of course, another option is to work with material from the competition and create new parent lines from there. But, as a lot of the new resistance patterns are patented, this could also be a reason not to do it. Another disadvantage is that the diversity of resistance genes used goes down by this strategy, and makes it is easier to break by the pathogen.BASFs sources of diversity/variation range from cross-able wild species and land races to obsolete varieties, reports Gowtham Prakash, senior scientist pre-breeding (lettuce and spinach). Syngenta is currently working WUR University and other companies in a consortium to acquire and test new ger-mplasm.ACCESS TO GERMPLASMAs everyone in the industry is aware, sufficient access to new germplasm in some crops has been affected by the European regulations on access and benefit sharing (ABS), but there are other factors that are affecting spinach germplasm availability. KWS has good access to new germplasm right now, reports Johan Rijk, but at the same time, these new sources are rapidly decreasing. So, new collection missions are needed, often in countries that are difficult to access, he says. ABS in itself is notSpinach is an increasingly versatile vegetable, here in a spinach smoothie. so much of a problem, the problem is more the political (un)will- Source: BASFingness of governments and institutes to collaborate and open up boundaries, or literally, borders to increase access.Prakash echoes these sentiments. Whilst BASF has verymenting a recurrent genotyping strategy using a high-density good current access to germplasm in gene banks like CGNgenotyping platform which will allow our team to apply more Netherlands, IPK Germany and USDA GRINand so far, is feel- advanced mapping and selection studies such as GWAS.ing no restrictions due to ABS regulationsPrakash says thatLaan notes that in spinach, the latest breeding tools can pro-of late, gene banks are experiencing difficulties in organizingvide insight into the DNA structure, its loci (location) of resist-collecting missions to the very countries which are consideredance genes and quality traits especially. There are possibilities as centres of diversity for spinach. These difficulties are due toto combine breeding for many traits, he says, if we can achieve a political situations and lack of local collaborating partners togood understanding of the plants DNA composition.guide exploration. For its part, DeSeed is using classic breeding techniques Roel Veenstra, Bejo Zadens crop research manager for bras- combined with new techniques such as DNA marker-assisted sica, lettuce, beans and spinach, reports that the genetic mate- breeding and light technology for speed breeding. KWS also uses rials his firm has collected so far has been valuable in terms ofmarker-assisted selection and speed breeding, along with drones new resistance genes, but that the limits are in sight. The rightand Artificial Intelligence.paperwork is challenging to secure for the collecting missions that are needed.GENE EDITING In terms of the effect of ABS on Bayers spinach breeding,Whilst CRISPR and other gene editing tools are not legal in the European regulations together with other relevant inter- Europe, all companies agree they could be useful in spinach, as national legislation on genetic resources have augmented theleast with the improvement of some specific traits. complexity, administration requirements and legal uncertainty,However, Johan Rijk notes that these tools are still being says Hunter. A framework that would facilitate access to novelexplored and examples of successful use at this point are still rel-germplasm in spinach would accelerate innovation.atively rare. He believes that efficient and effective use of gene For DeSeeds part, Johansen explains that his companysediting is only possible after breeders gain much more control over leadership has felt obliged to become member of the ILP platformthe specific genetics of relevant traitstraits that are often com-to get access to patents. Were highly in favour of UPOV andplicated and polygenic. At this point, this has not been achieved in plant variety protection, he says. We think its acceptable that amany crops and with the vast majority of important traits.breeder can patent a new trait if indeed there is a true innovativePeter Visser, BASFs R&D crop lead for leafies and others, breeding work behind this work. believes that tools like CRISPR have the potential to speed up the breeding of some crops where knowledge is greater. The vege-INNOVATIONtables in which the technology is most advanced are tomato and Spinach breeders are in no way falling behind other crop breed- lettuce, as routine protocols for gene editing are available and ers in terms of using the full range of the latest technologicalgenes for specific traits are known, he explains. Unfortunately, and molecular breeding advances. Hunter reports that Bayerspinach is a crop where quite some technical hurdles around the breeders are applying a wealth of innovative technologies toapplication of gene editing remain unsolved, so its not the most spinach, including marker assisted selection, rapid cycling backobvious technology to speed up breeding or find new solutions crosses and genomic insights as needed. for our customers.At BASF, we are currently working on the development andNonetheless, Veenstra says that with CRISPR, it may be pos-implementation of molecular markers linked to the most impor- sible someday to make small changes in the key-lock system that tant disease and consumer traits, says Rob Raedts, molecularcould provide resistance to downy mildew races, or instead, get breeding scientist (lettuce and spinach). Were also imple- rid of susceptibility genes. This is a very exciting possibility.EUROPEAN-SEED.COMIEUROPEAN SEED I 29'