The Hindu : Indo-U.S. research to tackle groundnut, sunflower virus

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Thursday, Jan 02, 2003

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Indo-U.S. research to tackle groundnut, sunflower virus

By Our Special Correspondent

NEW DELHI Jan. 1. After cotton and mustard, it is now the turn of groundnut, sunflower and cowpea to attract the attention of genetic engineering experts. A group of Indian and American scientists is all set to tackle the problem of tobacco streak virus which poses a major threat to the three important cash crops.

The joint research programme at the Donald Danforth Plant Science Centre at St. Louis, the International Crops Research Institute for Semi-Arid Tropics, Hyderabad, and Bangalore University, would focus on developing varieties that would be resistant to the deadly virus.

The programme assumes importance in the context of the unprecedented attack of the virus in Andhra Pradesh two years ago.

More than half a million groundnut farmers in Anantapur and Kurnool districts of the State suffered a loss of $ 3 billions. These districts constitute the world's single largest groundnut growing area.

A major problem with the virus is that it is very difficult to contain it by mere spraying insecticides as the pest which carries the virus, requires only a short time to transmit it. Once a plant is infected, the virus can also survive in the seed.

Speaking to reporters here on Tuesday, Roger N.Beachy, president of the U.S. research centre, said arrangements were being made with Mahyco to sell the seeds of the virus-resistant crops as and when they were ready.

Mahyco is the company which is selling the transgenic Bt Cotton developed by the multinational Monsanto.

Dr. Beachy, who is one of the world's foremost plant scientists, particularly known for his work on virus-resistant plants, was here along with Christopher S.Bond, a leading Republican Senator, to explore the possibilities for greater collaboration between the research institutions in the area of plant biotechnology.

Senator Bond is the member of several U.S. Senate committees dealing with agriculture, environment, and health, among other issues.

Dr. Beachy also signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with the Tata Energy Research Institute, under which the faculty and students of the TERI would be able to utilise the facilities at the Donald Danforth Centre for undertaking advanced research.

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