The Hindu Business Line : Training in molecular biology application at Kottayam

DR K.V. Peter, Vice-Chancellor, Kerala Agricultural University, inaugurated the national training programme on application of molecular markers in plant genetic resource management in plantation crops at Kottayam, sponsored by the Department of Biotechnology, New Delhi, and organised by the Rubber Research of India as part of its golden jubilee celebrations. Mr Sajen Peter, Chairman, Rubber Board, presided.

Molecular biology and PCR-based molecular marker techniques are very relevant now after the Intellectual Property Rights agreement and have resulted in valuable contributions towards crop improvement in plantation crops, said Dr Peter. The plantation crops in India are a federal subject. The Plantation Act covers only five crops — rubber, coffee, tea, coconut and cardamom.

Many states have declared plantation crops in their jurisdiction under the purview of the Act like cashew in Kerala. Now genetic diversity in the 12 plantation crops in India, including cocoa, arecanut, oil palm, acacia, cinchona etc, also need to be collected, characterised, conserved and utilised towards plant genetic resource management, Dr Peter said.

For conserving the biodiversity of crops, distinctiveness, uniformity and sustainability are vital; it's here that molecular marker techniques like RAPD, RFLP, micro satellites etc gain significance despite their limitations.

Mr Sajen Peter stressed the importance of Molecular Biology techniques in plant genetic improvement programmes in plantation crops, especially for rubber, for productivity enhancement. Dr A.K. Krishnakumar, Dr K.V. Bhat, Dr N.M. Mathew, Dr M.R. Sethuraj and Dr Y. Annamma Varghese also participated.

Fifteen scientists working on various plantation crops such as rubber, tea, coffee, cashew and spices across the country are participating in the programme, which will conclude on December 14.

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