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Status of Genetic Engineering of Jatropha in India
A significant amount of research is taking place inIndiaon genetic engineering of the Jatropha plant. AsIndiaimports more than 40% of its edible oil requirement, it has to depend on non-edible oils for biodiesel and this has spurred significant research into using biotechnology for Jatropha.
The following are some of the biotechnology efforts being tried for Jatropha.
1. Improving seed yield mapping genes and breeding
Genetic analysis in species with a view to identify quantitative trait loci (QTLs) for useful characters is done as follows: To begin with, an elite mapping population with the desirable characteristics that breeds true would have to be established in Jatropha. Information from the elite mapping population data could then be used to rapidly screen germplasm of Jatropha to identify DNA markers or major QTLs associated with high yield and the same could be used in marker assisted selection (MAS) breeding strategies to jumpstart genetic improvement of Jatropha for yield characteristics.
Interspecific and intergeneric crosses
It is possible that variation within a species may not exist for economically important characters. In such cases breeding strategies may involve introgression of genes from other species of the genera or related genera. Techniques in tissue culture such as in vitro fertilization, somatic hybridization and gene transfer technologies can be employed to overcome any existing barriers in making such crosses.
Generation of variability: Improvements in crops such as Jatropha and karanja are being studied using mutation breeding at the Bhabha Atomic Research Centre (BARC), Mumbai.
Clonal propagation: Asexual propagation has several advantages over sexual methods; hence planting through cuttings is generally advocated, but non availability of sufficient cuttings is a major impediment in promoting clonal planting on a commercial scale higher cost of clonal plantation, etc. are the major factors that limit large-scale application of clonal technology inIndia. Micropropagation and other tissue-culture techniques could be usefully employed for the multiplication and distribution of suitable planting material.
2. Improving oil content in seed
A Jatropha seed contains 31-37% extractable oil. A better understanding of the molecular biology of seed-oil accumulation is emerging from studies in other oil-seed crops, particularly members of the genus Brassica and its wild relative Arabidopsis. For instance, in Arabidopsis, disruption in the homeobox protein encoding gene GLABRA2 reportedly resulted in a mutant accumulating 8% more seed oil than the wild type.
3. Improving oil quality and esterification properties
Studies are being made on tree improvement to increase the energy rating of Jatropha suit in plants with higher oil and energy content.
The combination of classical breeding methods with molecular techniques provides new ways for designing oils for food and nonfood uses. Alterations in the position and number of double bonds, variation in fatty acid chain length, and the introduction of desired functional groups have already been achieved in model systems. It is possible that the same may be applied to Jatropha to improve their physico-chemical properties and to make them more suitable for biodiesel production.
Jatropha curcas has comparatively low energy content (40 MJ/kg) compared to other species, e.g. Jatropha glandulifera (57.1 MJ/kg). Oil yields, however, are much higher in J. curcas. Thus crossing these two species may re- suit in plants with higher oil and energy content.
Other Research Points
Research is also ongoing in the following domains:
- Ecological impacts:
- Impacts on biodiversity and genetic diversity of the Jatropha species
- Erosion and the desertification process
- Rehabilitation of degraded land
- Sociological impacts of growing Jatropha
- The Jatropha Mosaic Virus (JMV) was first reported on Jatropha gossipiifolia from Puerto-Rico and identified as begomovirus. Ultra structural studies of JMV-infected plants indicated the association of cytoplasmic inclusions such as membrane-bound bodies containing granular or fibrillar material, infection confining to phloem and virus-like particles of 15–18 nm in diameter. The virus was found to be transmitted by the vector Bemisia tabaci Aleyrodidae in a semi persistent manner, but not through sap inoculation and seed (Sep 2006).
- Benzyladenine Treatment Significantly Increases the Seed Yield of the Biofuel Plant Jatropha curcas: Jatropha curcas, a monoecious perennial biofuel shrub belonging to the family Euphorbiaceae, has few female flowers, which is one of the most important reasons for its poor seed yield. This study was undertaken to determine the effects of the plant growth regulator 6-benzyladenine (BA) on floral development and floral sex determination of J. curcas. Exogenous application of BA significantly increased the total number of flowers per inflorescence, reaching a 3.6-fold increase (from 215 to 784) at 160 mg/l of BA. Furthermore, BA treatments induced bisexual flowers, which were not found in control inflorescences, and a substantial increase in the female to-male flower ratio. Consequently, a 4.5-fold increase in fruit number and a 3.3-fold increase in final seed yield were observed in inflorescences treated with 160 mg/L of BA, which resulted from the greater number of female flowers and the newly induced bisexual flowers in BA-treated inflorescences. This study indicates that the seed yield of J. curcas can be increased by manipulation of floral development and floral sex expression. (authors: Bang-Zhen Pan and Zeng-Fu Xu, Journal of plant growth regulation, October 2010).
- D1 Oils Plc has recently secured UK Patent to detoxify Jatropha so that it can be used as an animal feed. The patent covers a process for the co-extraction of oil and a protein-rich seedcake, with the anti-nutritional factors removed, ideally suited for use as animal feed. D1 Oils has been conducting a research programme during the last four years to enhance the value of the Jatropha business model. Since the seedcake is known to have higher protein content than soya bean meal and hence should achieve at least price parity with it in the marketplace. It is expected that this innovation would reduce future production costs of crude Jatropha oil by more than 30%. The ability to use a by-product for animal feed will dramatically improve the economics of growing Jatropha. D1 oils Plc is currently in the process of up-scaling the process for full commercial use.
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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