canola seed

[maria]

What is the difference between GMO seed and synthetic seed ?

[emiled]

In simple terms, a gmo canola would have some trait expressed through addition of and exchange of genetic material (Roundup Ready canola or Liberty Link canola - herbicide resistant traits) whereas a synthetic canola is what I call a modified hybrid. It is produced through a modified traditional breeding program where male and female plants of specific lines are chosen and planted to produce seed. The end result is seed with about 70% hybridity. Please let me know if you need more detail.

[maria]

thank you for the reply. So a synthetic is the Liberty Link or Roundup Ready without the GMO trait ?

[mhartman]

Actually, synthetic varieties vary in the level of hybridity depending on the species. Most synthetic varieties are Polish types, which are self-incompatible (must cross pollinate), and hybridity would approach 50%. In contrast, Argentine canola is mainly self pollinating, with only about 20% outcrossing; thus a synthetic Argentine would likely have about 10% hybridity.