Sydney  - Field trials of wheat genetically modified (GM) to be drought-tolerant have shown good results, Australian scientists said Wednesday.

Some strains have produced yields 20 per cent higher than non-GM varieties, the Melbourne-based Molecular Plant Breeding Co-operative Research Centre said in a statement.

Of the 24 GM wheat lines trialed last year, seven returned higher yields under drought stress than control groups. The centre has applied to the gene technology regulator for permission to extend the trials to up to 50 GM wheat lines over the next two years.

"These are very encouraging results," Professor German Spangenberg, of the state of Victoria's Department of Primary Industries, said in the statement. "Drought is a major issue, not only for Australian agriculture but also globally." (dpa)