What is the future of biotechnology development in minor crops such as barley, field peas, sunflower, etc.?
The potential market for the trait must be perceived to be large enough to warrant the investment. In all cases it is important that growers of a particular crop being considered for a trait be fully engaged and supportive of the trait. This can reduce the potential cost of commercialization considerably. Case in point, even a broad-acreage trait like Roundup Ready wheat could not gain acceptance and was deemed too big of an investment risk without full support of the wheat industry and was dropped by Monsanto. In some cases minor crops offer an opportunity for the public research arena to get involved through advantageous public/private partnerships. This is already being done successfully in canola research.
