Looks like another Genetically Modified crop is on its way. The International Crops Research Institute for the Semi-Arid Tropics (ICRISAT) has launched field trials for pigeonpea genetically modified to be resistant to legume pod borer, an insect pest.The pod borer caused 50 per cent of pest-induced losses for all crops in India during the 1997-98 cropping season. The loss is estimated around $475 million — this, despite the use of insecticides worth $211 million.A group of ICRISAT scientists, led by K K Sharma, developed the technology for genetically transforming pigeonpea at the genetic transformation laboratory and introduced the synthetic Bt Cry1ab gene that offers resistance against this pest.After a contained field trial, the transgenic pigeonpea crop will go through a second season of contained trial at the ICRISAT campus to generate more data on biosafety. Once successful, ICRISAT will collaborate with its national agricultural research partners to implement open field trials.According to ICRISAT entomologist H C Sharma, the institute and other agricultural research centres have screened more than 14,000 pigeonpea accessions for resistance to Helicoverpa armigera. However, these genotypes had not been used widely as the level of tolerance provided in them was low and some of the lines were susceptible to major fungal diseases.ICRISAT director-general William Dar said the Helicoverpa-resistance of the genetically modified pigeonpea signifies a major scientific breakthrough. ‘‘This is an important step that addresses the specific needs of the resource-poor farmers of the semi-arid tropics through an effective biotechnological intervention. Pigeonpea is an important crop that supports the livelihoods of families in these rainfed areas,’’ he said.Although it has to go through a complex clearance process after the field trials before it is available in the market, the genetic modification, by itself, is a big step.
