The 28% Edge: Why GM Mustard Is A Gamechanger

Trials suggest that much higher yields as compared to the popular Varuna variety

- Vishwa.Mohan

India’s biotech regulator has allowed the environmental release of genetically modified mustard for seed production and testing, prior to a commercial release of the country’s first transgenic food crop. Though it’ll take a minimum two years for farmers to lay their hands on GM mustard seeds to start cultivation, the Genetic Engineering Appraisal Committee’s decision in itself is significant for two reasons.

● The indigenously-developed transgenic hybrid mustard (DMH-11) promises to improve oilseeds’ yield.

● This also allows the environmental release of the GM mustard parental lines to help develop a new generation of transgenic hybrids and give much-needed boost to scientific research on gene technologies for the farm sector.

Who has developed this technology?

A team of Indian scientists, led by former professor of genetics and Delhi University vice-chancellor Deepak Pental, at the Centre for Genetic Manipulation of Crop Plants, had developed DMH-11 in 2002. It was developed by crossing the popular Indian mustard variety ‘Varuna’ with East European mustard. The project was funded by the department of biotechnology and the National Dairy Development Board.

How is it better than the existing mustard varieties?

Plot-level trials, conducted under the supervision of ICAR, have shown its yields are 28% higher than Varuna.