Explained | The new hybrid variant of mustard

Source: The post is based on the article “Explained | The new hybrid variant of mustard” published in The Hindu on 3rd November 2022.

What is the News?

The Genetic Engineering Appraisal Committee(GEAC) has approved the environmental release of Dhara Mustard Hybrid-11 (DMH-11), a genetically-engineered variant of mustard.

What is DMH-11?

DMH-11 is a hybrid variant of mustard developed by researchers at The Centre for Genetic Manipulation of Crop Plants, at the University of Delhi. 

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Is DMH-11 a better mustard variety?

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 and was 37% better than zonal checks, or local varieties that are considered the best in different agro-climatic zones. 

How significant is the development of DMH-11?

Mustard (Brassica juncea) is cultivated in 6-7 million hectares during the Rabi winter season predominantly in Rajasthan, Haryana, Punjab and Madhya Pradesh. 

India imports anywhere from 55-60% of its domestic edible-oil requirement. 

In 2020-21, around 13.3 million tonnes of edible oil were imported at a cost of almost ₹1.17 lakh 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. On the other hand, hybrid mustard and rapeseed are the dominant forms of oil seeds in Canada, China and Europe. 

So, the experts say the only way to improve India’s productivity is to have more mustard hybrids.

What next for GM Mustard?

The GEAC go-ahead only allows DMH-11 to be grown in fields under the supervision of the ICAR. It has been said that the crop would be commercially available after “three seasons” as currently it is being grown in large quantities for evaluation.