Select Agro Projects at Avesthagen
 

• Transformation programs for Cytoplasmic Male Sterility (CMS) and drought resistance having male sterile lines is an essential requirement for the production of hybrid seeds. Cytoplasmic male sterility is a maternally inherited trait in plant mitochondria resulting in the abortion of pollen grains after meiosis during microsporogenesis. 'RNA-editing' in plant mitochondria is a process that changes the nucleotide sequence of the RNA molecule from that of the DNA template encoding it. As mRNA editing normally occurs in most plants, the transgenic plants containing genomic unedited sequences will therefore, synthesize the mitichondrial protein with a modified (inactive / less active) function, thus producing sterile plants. Avesthagen has succeeded in producing cytoplsamic male sterile rice by the introduction of an unedited nad9 gene into Basmati rice. Fertility has been restored by crossing the male sterile lines with transgenic lines expressing the anti-sense of the unedited nad9 gene. The technology has been proven not only in rice, but also in tomato and is available for licensing.

• Development of markers
  Avesthagen has developed markers linked to various traits including pest resistance in several crops including sweet pepper, rice etc. These markers are being used in breeding programs. Avesthagen is also in the process of development of microsatellite markers in cotton - these markers will subsequently be used in development of designer crops.

• Marker assisted breeding
  Avesthagen has partnered a MNC seed company in pyramiding a number of genes for gall midge resistance and blight resistance in rice. The seeds are at the BCF4 stage and will be ready for marketing in a year from now. The services provided by Avesthagen has led to a 3-4 year reduction in the time-to-market for a new variety for the seed company. Similar services are being offered for other companies for pyramiding of genes for pest and pathogen resistance.