(Garlic, leek, spring onions)

Cultivation

Alliaceae are grown around the world in regions with moderate to subtropical climates. Cultivation of leek and related species on a commercial scale is found on all continents except South America. The leading producers of garlic are China, India and Korea, for leek and other species of Alliaceae Indonesia, China and European countries such as Turkey, France and Belgium.

Utilisation

Onion (Allium cepa), leek (Allium porrum or A. ampeloprasum), garlic (Allium sativum) and spring onions (Allium fistulosum) all belong to the same family of Alliaceae and are all used as spices and vegetables in raw or roasted form.

Biotechnology: aims of research and development

Agronomic traits

Weed control

• Tolerance towards herbicides containing the active ingredient glyphosate

Resistance against pathogens

• Fungal resistance

• Virus resistance

Resistance to pests

• Insect resistance

Quality traits

Modified composition

• Such as modified acidity, modified sulfur content, modified sugar content, modified colours (modified anthocyanin content)

Plant development

• Inducible time of flowering

Field trials with GM onions

In New Zealand, field trials with spring onions, garlic and leek were approved in 2008. They will be conducted under controlled conditions for a period of ten years. Previous trials on spring onions were always carried out in laboratories.