Genetically Modified (GM) Crops

Genetically Modified (GM) Crops

Why in News?

  • The Genetically Modified (GM) mustard Dhara Mustard Hybrid (DMH-11) was recently tested in the field and shown to be more productive.

Highlights

  • Production of the DMH-11 variety is not interfering with honey bees’ natural pollination practices.
  • DMH-11 is an indigenously developed transgenic mustard. It is a genetically modified variant of Herbicide Tolerant (HT) mustard.
  • DMH-11 is a result of a cross between Indian mustard variety ‘Varuna’ and East European ‘Early Heera-2’ mustard.
  • It contains two alien genes (‘barnase’ and ‘barstar’) isolated from a soil bacterium called Bacillus amyloliquefaciens that enable breeding of high-yielding commercial mustard hybrids.
  • Barnase in Varuna induces a temporary sterility because of which it can’t naturally self-pollinate. Barstar in Heera blocks the effect of barnase allowing seeds to be produced.
  • DMH-11 has shown approximately 28% more yield than the national check and 37 % more than the zonal checks and its use has been claimed and approved by the GEAC.
  • “Bar gene” maintains the genetic purity of hybrid seed.
  • The hybrid seed production requires an efficient male sterility and fertility restoration system.
  • The currently available conventional cytoplasmic-genetic male sterility system in mustard has limitations of breakdown of sterility under certain environmental conditions leading to lowering of seed purity.
  • The genetically engineered barnase/barstar system provides an efficient and robust alternative method for hybrid seed production in mustard.
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