UAS develops transgenic chilli

The scientists at the Institute of Agri Biotechnology (IABT) in the University of Agricultural Sciences, Dharwad have made the varsity proud in the very first year of the IABT'.

They produced confirmed transgenic events in pigeon pea (tur dal) and chilli with 'Cry 1 AC', a gene with insecticidal properties, used in Bt Cotton too. The Bhabha Atomic Research Centre (BARC) in Mumbai has confirmed the presence of the gene.

The team "" M S Kuruhinashetty, B Fakruddin and Sumangala Bhatt "" has been working on various aspects of biotechnology and the beneficial microbes. The production of transgenic crops has been a focus area.

UAS VC S A Patil told reporters in Dharwad on Wednesday that the department of biotechnology, Government of India had recognised the research and human resource development activities of the university.

It has sanctioned a special grant of Rs 32.05 lakh to draw in good students and to strengthen the MSc (biotech) degree programme in the university. The grant includes a monthly fellowship of Rs 1,200 for each student.

The VC said that the university was engaged in several academic and research activities besides community service.

The new programmes include monitoring and concurrent evaluation of centrally-sponsored scheme, river valley projects and national watershed projects in North Karnataka, mass production of woolly aphid-resistant sugarcane plantlets and natural predators with a budget of Rs1.34 crore for three years and primary transformation of Bt gene into cotton.

He said that the primary transformation had been successfully completed and first public sector Bt cotton was expected to be released next year.

As part of disseminating technology from lab to land, the university plans to launch a FM Radio station at UAS, Dharwad. The station will cover 25 villages initially. Later on, the facility will be extended to other areas.

The UAS covers 12 districts of North Karnataka "" Dharwad, Belgaum, Gadag, Haveri, Bijapur, Bagalkot, Gulbarga, Bidar, Raichur, Koppal, Bellary and Uttara Kannada.

It covers 52 per cent of the geographical area and 56 per cent of the cultivated area in the state. The area ranges from dry areas to heavy rainfall and irrigated regions. Six of the 10 agro-climatic zones of Karnataka are under the jurisdiction of UAS.

S A Patil said that the varsity has been able to attract funds from ICAR towards various AICRPs and ad hoc schemes to the tune of Rs 19.22 crore.

UAS convocation

The 19th annual convocation of the university will be held on Friday. Secretary, department of biotechnology, Government of India M K Bhan will deliver the convocation address. Governor T N Chaturvedi will preside, The convocation will start at 10 am.

The V-C said, degrees will be conferred on 465 candidates. Some 27 candidates will receive their PhDs, 139 PG degrees and 299 students will be conferred BSc (Agri) degree. Forty-nine students will share 83 gold medals.