b"We are aiming for the end of the decade to have [biological apomixis] running in one crop species.We have multiple resource programs running at the moment and I think it is achievableRik Op den CampWe are aiming for the end of the decade to have [biologi- applications of the latest technologies like, for example, Oxford cal apomixis] running in one crop species. We have multipleNanopore long-read sequencing and gene editing, Op den resource programs running at the moment and I think it isCamp says. These allow us to make discoveries, which leads to achievable. the field progressing rapidly. And because of that rapid pro-Admittedly, scientists have been pursuing apomixisandgressing, the interest is really back. There are more meetings. anticipating big resultsfor multiple decades. (For example,International consortia are being assembled. Its no longer only there was big hope in earlier research trials that mutant screensthe promise; theres really some concrete evidence that we can in Arabidopsis would uncover mutants that caused apomixis.move forward and make it happen.Though some phenotypes proved relevant, there was noth- Interest, excitement and ultimately research investment are ing like a single gene that, if disrupted, would cause apomixis,good news, adds Gehring. The strategy of multiple approaches Gehring says.) from multiple groups is going to be important, because [apo-Whats different now is a function of modern technologiesmixis] has been a pretty hard problem to crack. But at this point, and a boost in good, old-fashioned scientific excitement. I think were now at the point of it being a solvable problem. Even Theres many groups working on this now and we seeif it's 10 years, thats not long in terms of plant breeding. SWin the past few years breakthroughs which were realised by GLOBAL SEED INDUSTRY SOLUTIONSBe prepared for whatever next season throws at you with Oxbo.learn more atOXBO.COM86/ SEEDWORLD.COMDECEMBER 2023"