Transcript Controlling Pests and Diseases viaGenetic Transformation

Figure 1. Development of
golden mosaic disease in
the common bean lines
engineered for
resistance to Bean golden
mosaic virus mediated RNAi
(T), compared to nontransgenic
varieties (NT). Two
transgenic lines presented
similar resistance curves.
Plants were
cultivated in the field in
2007 and 2008. Disease
evaluation was done
visually by recording
the first date of vein
clearing.
Rice Tungro Disease
From IRRI
Resistance to Cassava Viruses
for Africa
Resistance against cassava Geminiviruses via the ‘G5 protein
and siRNAs; CP siRNA for a potyvirus (cassava brown streak)
G5
CsVMV promoter
35S promoter
siRNA
siRNA
siRNA
against ACMV
against EACMV
against CBSV
PTGS -mediated
protein
against
ACMV & EACMV
protein -mediated
Improving the Human Condition through Plant Science
Progress in developing transgenic plants of
farmer-preferred cassava cultivars
• Cultivars selected based on farmer input in West and East Africa
• To date 8 farmer preferred cultivars produce transgenic tissues
• 5 cultivars yielded transgenic plantlets (to date), examples below:
Transgenic plant of
Ugandan cv. Ebwanateraka
GFP expressing roots & leaves
Transgenic plant
of Nigerian cv. TME117
GFP expressing roots
Improving the Human Condition through Plant Science
Cassava Field Trials
Kenya
• The VIRCA confined field test (CFT)
application is currently at the IBC
stage.
• This is being split into two applications.
One for each technical approach.
• The BioCassava Plus (BC+) CFT is
currently at the IBC stage.
• The second version of the application
was resubmitted to the IBC in March.
Uganda
The VIRCA CFT was approved by the NBC in January.
• The import permit was applied for in early April and is
expected during May.
• Best case scenario is planting in August.
•
Improving the Human Condition through Plant Science
Uganda, NaCRRI
Infrastructure Improvements
CFT Site
Biosafety Level II Screenhouse
Tissue Culture Facility
Advances in Controlling Insects:
Beyond Cotton and Maize
• Insect resistant cowpea
• Insect resistant brinjal/eggplant
• Insect resistant potato
Improving the Human Condition through Plant Science
Bt brinjal
Common Vegetable
• Most popular vegetable in India after potato
• Meaty texture, so staple in vegetarian diets
• 25 calories per serving, with no fat!
Grown in all vegetable-growing zones in India but
prominently in 8 States: Andhra Pradesh, Bihar, Karnataka,
Maharashtra, Orissa, Tamil Nadu, Uttar Pradesh and
West Bengal
25 - 80 rounds of pesticides sprayed on
brinjal crop during each growing season
IIVR
IIVR
Varanasi
Varanasi
Benefits to farmers
Bt
Non-Bt
Non-Bt
Cash benefit of Rs 16,000-19,000 per acre and
Rs 2,000 crore to our nation