Betting big on agri-biotechnology, Nandan Biomatrix is working on transgenics in jatropha curcas which would contain high oil, oleic content with a better yield than the existing species. The company is working on the genetic diversity, DNA fingerprinting apart from marker-assisted selection.
According to V Bhaskar Rao, MD, the company has been doing work in plant material development to crop modeling and genomics. ??We have applied for four patents for jatropha which include process for developing jatropha curcas, hybrids for high oleic content and high seed yield and high oil content and inter-specific hybrid,?? he said. There are over 175 species in jatropha and the company claims to have understood the mutation breeding programmes in over 90 hybrids.
??We are identifying genes for better yield, oil content, disease and drought resistant varieties and transfer these genes in selected genetic material. We hope to get these genetic materials in place by next year,?? he added.
Meanwhile, the company is in the process to achieve complete genomics of jatropha curcas along with modeling. It would facilitate the company for simulation and validation of soil and climatic parameters required for the plantation of jatropha.
The company has set up a resource centre of 1,000 acres, at Zaheerabad, near Hyderabad, following the need for crop improvement, germplasm accessions and development of superior varieties for agronomic trials, multi-method propagation, etc.
The company has embarked on a large-sale jatropha cultivation spread across Gujarat, Rajasthan, Uttar Pradesh, Andhra Pradesh, Orissa and Jharkand. It is also planning to set up bio-refineries for producing biodiesel across various states.
Further, the company has developed area-specific package of practices which are suitable for varied agro-climatic regions across the globe.
As part of this, the company is working with Sabah Land Development Board of Malaysia as its technology partner for a $40 million project for jatropha cultivation on marginal lands with low rainfall.