GENETICALLY MODIFIED CORN IN BRAZIL: HISTORICAL, RESULTS AND PERSPECTIVES

The objective of this work was to review the history of genetically modified (GM) corn in Brazil, and the results obtained since its introduction, as well as the perspectives for new technologies. GM corn was planted for the first time in Brazil in 2008 and, a few years later, it reached more than 80% of the planted area. Currently, the GM corn area in Brazil is close to 90%. The traits introduced in corn are related to herbicide tolerance and insect resistance, and the benefits for farmers and the environment in these 12 years were enormous. GM events also impacted plant breeding, and breeding methods needed to be adapted to include the introduction of GM events into germplasm. New emerging technologies, such as gene editing and synthetic biology, may have a new impact on corn improvement, creating new traits, many of them non-transgenic. These new technologies have the potential to improve traits associated with plant yield and tolerance to abiotic stresses.