GM Mustard

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7-June-2018: Scientists develop early flowering transgenic mustard

Researchers at Delhi-based TERI School of Advanced Studies have developed an early flowering transgenic variety of mustard. The work is important as Indian mustard is a major oilseed crop in the country and due to changing climate the number of cold days required for full plant cycle has shrunk. Scientists have been working on improving crop varieties by modifying plant genes to make them more adaptable to the changing climate. Early flowering and maturing varieties can help cope with climate change, without compromising on yields.

Researchers figured out the role of a regulatory gene, called MIR172 belonging to the micro RNA family, that is present in functionally varied forms in Indian mustard (Brassicajuncea) and is responsible for a number of traits including timing of flowering. In plants, this microRNA enacts by negatively regulating the expression of some protein-coding genes involved in flowering time.

By increasing the expression of this microRNA, the researchers have developed an early flowering transgenic plant of Indian mustard cultivar Brassica junceacv. By manipulating flowering time, one can develop a plant variety with shorter life cycle and thus help have better yields through reduced exposure to the harsh climatic conditions in the fields.

Novel natural alleles of Brassica MIR172 are both a blueprint and a valuable resource of favourable agronomic traits to be transferred into elite crop varieties. Apart from MIR172, the research group is studying several genes that affect other traits that might be useful in generating better varieties.

Analysis of transgenics in natural field conditions showed that most Brassica genes govern several dependent and independent agronomic traits. Changing one trait to achieve a favourable out-come may offset another trait. Thus, future studies will involve careful optimization of gene levels for minimizing trait trade-offs.

15-May-2018: GEAC declines approval to GM mustard

The regulator for genetically modified (GM) crops in its meeting on March 21 declined to reinforce its decision in May 2017 recommending approval for commercial cultivation of the GM mustard hybrid developed by a team of Delhi University scientists. Instead it decided to seek data on the impact of the hybrid on honeybees, other pollinators and soil microbes.

The GEAC asserted that the issues in the representations it received against its May 2017 decision to recommend approval for cultivation of GM mustard by farmers had already been deliberated upon and a change in stance was not warranted.

The GEAC has asked the developers for a detailed protocol for conducting field trials in five-acre plots at two or three different locations. Even If the minister acted on the GEAC's recommendation and gave his approval, it would take about two years to produce GM mustard hybrid seeds for large-scale planting. The team can use the five-acre field demonstrations to produce seed, while studying the impact on bees, pollinators and soil microbes. It can also invite farmers over to see for themselves and be convinced.

The five-acre field demonstration plots will have to be isolated from non-GM mustard by about 50-100 metres.

A 2014 study by Tamil Nadu Agricultural University showed honey bees thriving in fields of genetically-engineered cotton because being naturally toxic to bollworms they didn't need pesticide sprays.

The field trials for impact on honeybees will have to be held in the coming winter season. It will enable Vardhan to avoid a decision on the commercial release of GM mustard as the term of the government would have ended by the time the data is collected and analysed.

Pin It
Whatsapp

7-June-2018: Scientists develop early flowering transgenic mustard

Researchers at Delhi-based TERI School of Advanced Studies have developed an early flowering transgenic variety of mustard. The work is important as Indian mustard is a major oilseed crop in the country and due to changing climate the number of cold days required for full plant cycle has shrunk. Scientists have been working on improving crop varieties by modifying plant genes to make them more adaptable to the changing climate. Early flowering and maturing varieties can help cope with climate change, without compromising on yields.

Researchers figured out the role of a regulatory gene, called MIR172 belonging to the micro RNA family, that is present in functionally varied forms in Indian mustard (Brassicajuncea) and is responsible for a number of traits including timing of flowering. In plants, this microRNA enacts by negatively regulating the expression of some protein-coding genes involved in flowering time.

By increasing the expression of this microRNA, the researchers have developed an early flowering transgenic plant of Indian mustard cultivar Brassica junceacv. By manipulating flowering time, one can develop a plant variety with shorter life cycle and thus help have better yields through reduced exposure to the harsh climatic conditions in the fields.

Novel natural alleles of Brassica MIR172 are both a blueprint and a valuable resource of favourable agronomic traits to be transferred into elite crop varieties. Apart from MIR172, the research group is studying several genes that affect other traits that might be useful in generating better varieties.

Analysis of transgenics in natural field conditions showed that most Brassica genes govern several dependent and independent agronomic traits. Changing one trait to achieve a favourable out-come may offset another trait. Thus, future studies will involve careful optimization of gene levels for minimizing trait trade-offs.

15-May-2018: GEAC declines approval to GM mustard

The regulator for genetically modified (GM) crops in its meeting on March 21 declined to reinforce its decision in May 2017 recommending approval for commercial cultivation of the GM mustard hybrid developed by a team of Delhi University scientists. Instead it decided to seek data on the impact of the hybrid on honeybees, other pollinators and soil microbes.

The GEAC asserted that the issues in the representations it received against its May 2017 decision to recommend approval for cultivation of GM mustard by farmers had already been deliberated upon and a change in stance was not warranted.

The GEAC has asked the developers for a detailed protocol for conducting field trials in five-acre plots at two or three different locations. Even If the minister acted on the GEAC's recommendation and gave his approval, it would take about two years to produce GM mustard hybrid seeds for large-scale planting. The team can use the five-acre field demonstrations to produce seed, while studying the impact on bees, pollinators and soil microbes. It can also invite farmers over to see for themselves and be convinced.

The five-acre field demonstration plots will have to be isolated from non-GM mustard by about 50-100 metres.

A 2014 study by Tamil Nadu Agricultural University showed honey bees thriving in fields of genetically-engineered cotton because being naturally toxic to bollworms they didn't need pesticide sprays.

The field trials for impact on honeybees will have to be held in the coming winter season. It will enable Vardhan to avoid a decision on the commercial release of GM mustard as the term of the government would have ended by the time the data is collected and analysed.

2017

12-May-2017: Genetic Engineering Appraisal Committee (GEAC) clears GM Mustard for commercial cultivation and recommends its approval to the environment ministry.

The fate of this transgenic variety of oil-seed will now be in the hands of the MoS environment Anil Madhav Dave who may either accept it, reject it or sit over the file till the Supreme Court takes its call on a pending application on the matter.

The GM mustard, developed by a Delhi University institution, is only the second food crop which got its clearance from the central regulator. The GEAC had earlier in 2010 cleared the Bt Brinjal but the decision was not accepted by then environment minister Jairam Ramesh. Currently, only Bt Cotton – a non-food GM crop – is commercially cultivated in the country.

An application for commercial release of the GM Mustard was filed in December 2015. The GEAC had subsequently set up a sub-committee to examine the safety aspect of the use of transgenic variety of the mustard. The sub-committee had last year given its safety clearance while noting that the GM Mustard is safe for human consumption and environment. Decision of the GEAC was, however, vehemently opposed by environmentalists and anti-GM groups.

A GM or transgenic crop is a plant that has a novel combination of genetic material obtained through the use of modern biotechnology. For example, a GM crop can contain a gene(s) that has been artificially inserted instead of the plant acquiring it through pollination. The resulting plant is said to be “genetically modified” although in reality all crops have been “genetically modified” from their original wild state by domestication, selection, and controlled breeding over long periods of time.

The Genetic Engineering Appraisal Committee (GEAC) is the apex body constituted in the Ministry of Environment and Forests under ‘Rules for Manufacture, Use, Import, Export and Storage of Hazardous Microorganisms/Genetically Engineered Organisms or Cells 1989’, under the Environment Protection Act, 1986. It approves activities involving large scale use of hazardous microorganisms and recombinants in research and industrial production from the environmental angle. The GEAC is also responsible for approval of proposals relating to release of genetically engineered organisms and products into the environment including experimental field trials (Biosafety Research Level trial-I and II known as BRL-I and BRL-II). The Rules of 1989 also define five competent authorities i.e. the Institutional Biosafety Committees (IBSC), Review Committee of Genetic Manipulation (RCGM), Genetic Engineering Approval Committee (GEAC), State Biotechnology Coordination Committee (SBCC) and District Level Committee (DLC) for handling of various aspects of the rules.