Shriram Bioseed Inks Pact With Icrisat For Crop R&D

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Hyderabad: Shriram Bioseed Genetics India Ltd — a joint venture between the US-based Bioseed Genetics International Inc, US, and Shriram Fertilisers, a unit of DCM Shriram Consolidated Ltd — has signed an agreement with the International Crops Research Institute for Semi-Arid Tropics (Icrisat) for collaborating technologies at molecular genetics level for different kinds of crops.

The agreement with Icrisat is to understand the molecular genetics of many crops. “Though not crop-specific, initially we are working on the genetics of cotton through the agri-business incubator. Further, we are also working to develop new, superior hybrids in corn, sorghum and pearl millet,” said Bioseed Research India Pvt Ltd director of research Paresh Verma.

Speaking to eFE, Dr Verma said molecular genetics is becoming an important tool for crop improvement and there is more focused approach towards this study. “The agreement with Icrisat is a win-win situation for both, as it requires lot of captive investment and expertise to know about the genetic material,” he said.

The company also has joint ventures for hybrid seeds in Vietnam and the International Rice Research Institute (IRRI), Philippines. Explaining about the research, he said genetic markers are being used for selection processes. The understanding of genetic principles yield efficient results than external morphological characters of any trait. “Through this process in cotton, we are trying to develop varieties which yield good fibre and are tolerant to sucking pests and bollworms,” he said. Besides, the company is already engaged in the development of hybrids in corn, millet, sorghum, cotton, rice, sunflower and vegetables.

On its part, Icrisat is adding value to its agri-business incubator programme and incubating a host of companies for its public-private-partnership projects, besides agricultural research universities. It recently signed an MoU with Sun Microsystems to work together for bioinformatics.