Fast-track breeding of Artemisia

The Centre for Novel Agricultural Products (CNAP) at the University of York is applying fast-track breeding technologies to Artemisia with the aim of creating new, non-genetically modified (GM) varieties with increased artemisinin yields. Many thousands of plants are being screened at both the phenotypic (trait) and genetic levels. Promising individuals will be used in a classical crop breeding programme to create new varieties. Seeds will be made available at cost to Artemisia growers producing for the ACT supply chain. The Swiss not-for-profit organization, Médiplant is collaborating with plant breeding and roll-out.

Q&A: Fast track breeding

Is fast track breeding the same as genetic modification (GM)?

No. The technology used to produce the high-yielding Artemisia varieties does not involve the transfer of foreign DNA (GM) from one organism into another. Genetic and trait screening will be used to identify high yield individuals amongst a large population of A. annua which has increased genetic diversity. As high yield individuals are identified, they will be back crossed to develop new, high-yielding varieties.
Wouldn't it be simpler to increase the area under cultivation?

Increasing the area under cultivation does not address the problems associated with the high costs of production. However, increasing the artemisinin content of Artemisia will reduce both cultivation and extraction costs. This is because each hectare cultivated will produce more artemisinin and because extraction costs are largely defined by the bulk of biomass that is to be extracted.