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Genetic Engineering in Jatropha
Biomass and oil yield can be improved by exploiting genetic engineering focusing on the optimization of enzymes involved in oil biosynthesis and biomass production. However, a prerequisite for the implementation of genetic manipulation of Jatropha is the establishment of a robust and efficient transformation procedure. The research will focus on recent developments in establishing a transformation procedure for Jatropha and present strategies to improve oil quality and yield by genetic engineering.
Genetic improvement of Jatropha curcas adaptability and oil yield
Genetic improvement of Jatropha curcas should be an arena that needs to be looked into to develop varieties having desirable characters like seed and oil yield, resistance to pests and adaptability to different agro-climatic condition. Future strategies should be network based and should focus on selecting plants showing positive traits and improve upon them by conventional and molecular breeding and multiply them on large scale by micro-propagation technique.
Approximately 300 accessions of Jatropha curcas accessions were collected from different parts of the country along with their passport data. Among the accessions, depending upon yield and oil content, 23 accessions were identified as elites. All the selected and wild accessions are being tested in multi-locational trials for performance evaluation and for location specific suitability. Scientific innovation and relevance: This research will help identify elite plants having desirable traits suiting to different agro-climatic regions and will further help in breeding programme. Development of micropropagation protocol will further help generate true type plants to be planted on large scale, necessary for success of biodiesel programme.
Results - Out of the many different provenances collected from different parts of the country, field trials are underway for identification of drought / salinity germplasm. Molecular techniques are being used for determining genetic diversity among the selected germplasm. DNA finger printing studies using AFLP (Amplified fragment length polymorphism) / RAPD (Random Amplified Polymorphic DNA) reveal significant differences among the germplasm. With AFLP 8-10% polymorphism and with RAPD, 14-16% was found among the 20 elite accessions studied. Micropropagation protocol for Jatropha curcas was developed using shoot tip cultures of the elite germplasm selected and have been successfully transplanted in the field after hardening for performance evaluation. Direct organogenesis was also achieved. Genetic transformation trials are in progress.
Full Title: Genetic Improvement of Jatropha curcas adaptability and oil yield
Affiliation: Discipline of Phytosalinity, Central Salt and Marine Chemicals Research Institute, Gujarat, India.
Author: Muppala Parandhami Reddy et al.
Agrobacterium tumefaciens-mediated transformation of biofuel plant Jatropha curcas using kanamycin selection
Abstract
Establishment of an efficient transformation system is a prerequisite for genetic improvement of Jatropha curcas, a promising biodiesel feedstock plant, by transgenic approach. In this study an efficient Agrobacterium-mediated transformation protocol using cotyledon explants from J. curcas seeds was developed. The integration and expression of the transgenes in the putatively transformed J. curcas plants was confirmed by polymerase chain reaction (PCR), Southern blot analysis and glucuronidase (GUS) activity staining. In the protocol used, the critical step for successful transformation is that the selective agent kanamycin (20 mg/L) is not included in the callus-inducing medium within the first 4 weeks after co-cultivation with Agrobacterium.
Authors: Jingli Pan, Qiantang Fu, and Zeng-Fu Xu
Source: African Journal of Biotechnology, September 2010.
- Asiatic Centre for Genome Technology Sdn Bhd (ACGT), and Synthetic Genomics Inc. (SGI), a privately held company dedicated to commercializing genomic-driven solutions to address global energy and environmental challenges are conducting an in-depth genomic, physiological and biochemical analysis of Jatropha.
- Terasol Labs is developing Jatropha, euphorbia that produces seeds which contain up to 40 percent oil. Jatropha is resistant to pests and drought and grows vigorously in many soil types. In its native habitat it is a weed. Jatropha oil, once extracted, can be used to fuel diesel engines with little or no further preparation or additives. Terasol is not genetically modifying Jatropha, but is looking for suitable cultivars via tissue propagation and hybridization. These Jatropha strains are maximized for their tolerance to various climates, pest-resistance, and oil yields. In other words, they are being adapted to survive in ways that no native plants can compete with.
- Genetics of Jatropha Plant - The genetics of the Jatropha plant define the potential production and give us tools to breed more productive, healthier plants. In order to start breeding the genetic variation needs to be assessed. Several parties have done genetic studies amongst others the University of Newcastle. The first results are that the variation within the plants from India and Thailand is low and the same holds for the African gene pool. The Indian sources differ slightly from the African sources. More genetic variation is expected in the centre of origin (Meso America). Wageningen University has set up a worldwide screening programme (JEP - Jatropha curcas evaluation Programme) where genetic variation is mapped.
Engineered Trait Loci technology
Agrisoma Biosciences Inc. a private agricultural biotechnology company is using its leading edge ETL technology to create new crop varieties engineered for high value applications such as biofuel production and renewable manufacturing feedstock.
Agrisoma’s ETL (Engineered Trait Loci) technology is a patent protected technology that allows efficient stacking and expression of multiple traits in any crop species. The ETL technology would result in development of engineered crop chromosomes that could carry multiple traits in a highly productive and stable genetic location. The ETL technology is currently being used to engineer oil composition, oil content and yield to develop an efficient plant variety and ETL-engineered crops are now undergoing field trials at multiple locations.
Jatropha is known to have significant yield advantage over most other biodiesel crops. Moreover it grows with minimal input and is a perennial crop that can provide more than ten times the yield of oils when compared to annual crops. The development of precise means to deliver, manage and express new crop traits in Jatropha, would be a monumental and unprecedented achievement in the field of agricultural science and renewable energy technology.
During Chinese High Technology exhibition – 2009, Agrisoma Biosciences signed a strategic partnership agreement with Hongqiu Bioenergy Inc for development and commercialization of Jatropha. The companies have collaborated for the development of genetically modified Jatropha curcas varieties with superior characteristics that are expected to yield high quality biodiesel fuel for the global biodiesel market. The implementation process is in the pipeline, if the technology is transferred successfully from lab to the field, it would definitely revolutionize the global biodiesel industry.
Related Links
- Introduction to the Biofuel Industry
- Properties of Jatropha
- Characteristics of Jatropha
- Extracting Jatropha Oil
- Pre-extraction of Jatropha Oil
- Extraction of Oil from Jatropha Seed
- Filtration & Purification of Jatropha Oil
- Clarification of the Oil
- Getting Clean Jatropha Oil
- Refining the pure Oil
- Typical Processes & Equipments for Jatropha Oil Refinery Plants
- Removing the toxins from the Meal
- Uses of Jatropha Meal
- Properties of Jatropha Oil
- Global Biodiesel Production and Capacity
- Global Market View on Jatropha
- Strategies for Financing
- Status of Jatropha in Asia
- Status of Jatropha in Europe
- Status of Jatropha in Africa
- Status of Jatropha in South America
- Status of Jatropha in North America
- Status of Jatropha Oil Production in India
- Genetic Engineering in Jatropha
- Status of Genetic Engineering of Jatropha in India
- Present Market Scenario for Jatropha
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