Dhara Mustard Hybrid-11

#GS-03 Science and Technology, Biodiversity

About Genetic Engineering Appraisal Committee (GEAC):

Genetic Engineering Appraisal Committee (GEAC) is the apex regulator of genetically modified plants and food products in the country.
It functions under the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change (MoEF&CC).
GEAC is chaired by the Special Secretary/Additional Secretary of MoEF&CC and co-chaired by a representative from the Department of Biotechnology (DBT).
Presently, it has 24 members and meets every month to review the applications in the areas indicated above.

To appraise activities involving large scale use of hazardous microorganisms and recombinants in research and industrial production from the environmental angle.
To appraise proposals relating to release of genetically engineered organisms and products into the environment including experimental field trials.
The committee or any persons authorized by it has powers to take punitive action under the Environment Protection Act.

Dhara Mustard Hybrid (DMH-11) is an indigenously developed transgenic mustard.
It is a genetically modified variant of Herbicide Tolerant (HT) mustard.
It contains two alien genes (‘barnase’ and ‘barstar’) isolated from a soil bacterium called Bacillus amyloliquefaciens that enable breeding of high-yielding commercial mustard hybrids.
DMH-11 is a result of a cross between two varieties: Varuna and Early Heera-2.
Barnase in Varuna induces a temporary sterility because of which it can’t naturally self-pollinate.
Barstar in Heera blocks the effect of barnase allowing seeds to be produced.
It has been developed by the Centre for Genetic Manipulation of Crop Plants (CGMCP) at Delhi University.

Trials conducted over three years by the Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR) suggest that DMH-11 has 28% higher yields than its parent Varuna.
In 2020-21, around 13.3 million tonnes of edible oil were imported at a cost of ₹1,17,000 crore according to the National Academy of Agricultural Sciences.
This is primarily due to low productivity — of about 1-1.3 tonnes/hectare — that has been stagnant for over two decades.
GM mustard would make India self-reliant in oil production and help in saving forex.