The Hindu Business Line : Bt brinjal: TN farm varsity half-way thru

THE Tamil Nadu Agricultural University is halfway through in its research on developing genetically modified brinjal varieties. The bt brinjal, when developed and released could come as a boon to growers.

The eggplant, considered a `poor man's crop', suffers 80 per cent yield loss due to shoot borer and fruit borer infestation. Despite the setback in yield levels, growers continue to raise brinjal because of the consumers' strong preference for this vegetable. And the varieties are innumerable and region specific.

Research work was initiated to cope the borer menace in the eggplant. TNAU entered into a collaborative arrangement with the Cornell University and Virginia Technology University in the US for induction of the Bt gene into its existing popular varieties.

The TNAU Horticulture Dean, Dr E. Vadivel, told Business Line that the University has completed 50 per cent of the research on genetic resistance. "We are getting the Bt gene from our collaborative partners and introducing the gene sequence by conventional hybridisation into the required varieties. But we cannot release it before getting the DBT (Department of Biotechnology) clearance. We need to satisfy all formalities," he said. According to him, the outward appearance of the vegetable — from colour, shape, size etc would remain the same, and the cost of the seed would not be high as was the case in Bt cotton. "Initially they will have to procure the Bt injected seed, but for the subsequent crop, they will be able to multiply the seeds on their own, since we are introducing it by the conventional hybridisation method."

The normal yield per hectare has been estimated at 30 tonnes, of which 60 per cent suffers fruit borer infestation. With the introduction of the resistance gene, researchers are confident that this inevitable loss/damage to the crop could be minimised.

However, there are two schools of thought on whether or not to ethically accept the genetically modified Bt brinjal.

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