Question

First variety of mustard developed through biotechnology by somatic hybridisation which is

Answer 1

Answer:

The promotion of hybrids

In order to meet the growing food demand, the Indian Council for Agricultural Research (ICAR), in collaboration with the Rockefeller Foundation (USA), started in 1957 the All India Coordinated Crop Improvement Project, which marked the beginning of an intensive research programme for crop improvement in India. Under this project, the performance in yield potential, disease­ and pest resistance, and nutritional value of the newly developed varieties (including hybrids) was evaluated.

In 1961, the first maize hybrid was released for general cultivation, followed by hybrid varieties of sorghum, pearl millet, and non­hybrid high yielding varieties (HYVs) of rice and wheat. In 1971, the development of the first hybrid cotton was a landmark in the history of crop improvement in the country.

The state governments, however, were incapable of keeping pace with the growing seed demand. Therefore, to facilitate efficient production and distribution of seed, the Indian government established a central production organization in 1963, the National Seed Corporation (NSC), and in 1969 the State Farm Corporation of India (SFCI). With the technical help from the Rockefeller Foundation, the NSC's first products were single crosses of hybrid maize. Later it began to produce seeds of cereals and cotton on a commercial scale.

With assistance of the World Bank, the Indian government established in 1967 the National Seeds Programme (NSP) to co­ordinate the efforts of the NSC, SFCI and private companies. Another aim of the NSP was to create new, and modify the existing infrastructural facilities for seed testing, research and certification.

During the 1960s, many small enterprises entered the seed sector, but they mainly confined themselves to the production of some vegetable and ornamental flower seeds. During this period, governmental policies limited the role of private sector. In the 1980s, however, governmental policy towards the private seed industry gradually changed. Private companies were allowed to obtain breeder seeds directly from public research institutions, while the New Policy on Seed Development (1988)