Tamil Nadu - Madurai   

Field trials of genetically modified rice plant encouraging

Staff Reporter

MADURAI: Field trials of a genetically modified disease-resistant rice plant developed in the Madurai Kamaraj University laboratory and conducted at three locations in the State have given encouraging results in the first phase. The Tamil Nadu Agricultural University (TNAU) in Coimbatore, to whom the plants were handed over, is now taking the process to the next stage wherein multi-location trials will be carried out for the ‘white ponni’ variety, developed after a seven-year research at the Department of Plant Biotechnology, MKU.

The tests, held at Coimbatore, Aaaduthurai and Ambasamudram, showed that the transgenic plants developed resistance for ‘Sheath Blight’ disease, common in paddy crop in the southern India.

K. Veluthambi, Professor and Head, Department of Plant Biotechnology at the MKU, told The Hindu on Friday said the trials lasted a few months since October last and after detailed studies the agricultural university decided to go f or multi-location field trials.

Around 1,000 seeds of genetically modified rice plants were given to the TNAU for trials and it was found that the loss of yield due to ‘Sheath Blight’ disease could be prevented.

“The disease brings down the resistance power of the plant resulting in yield loss. That was contained by genetic modification,” Dr. Veluthambi said.

While ‘Sheath Blight’ was common occurrence in rice cultivation in southern States, the problem faced in northern States was ‘Rice Blast.’

This trial stage was undertaken after getting permission from the Review Committee of Genetic Manipulation in the Department of Biotechnology, he said.

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