UPSC Prelims 2018·GS1·science-and-technology·ipr and biotechnology

With reference to the Genetically Modified mustard (GM mustard) developed in India, consider the following statements: 1. GM mustard has the genes of a soil bacterium that give the plant the property of pest-resistance to a wide variety of pests. 2. GM mustard has the genes that allow the plant cross-pollination and hybridization. 3. GM mustard has been developed jointly by the IARI and Punjab Agricultural University. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

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Last updated 23 May 2026, 3:31 pm IST
  1. A1 and 3 only
  2. B2 onlyCorrect
  3. C2 and 3 only
  4. D1, 2 and 3

Explanation

Let's analyze the statements regarding Genetically Modified (GM) mustard, specifically DMH-11 (Dhara Mustard Hybrid-11), developed in India: 1. **GM mustard has the genes of a soil bacterium that give the plant the property of pest-resistance to a wide variety of pests.** This statement is incorrect. DMH-11 does not primarily have genes for pest resistance. Unlike Bt cotton, which incorporates a gene from the bacterium *Bacillus thuringiensis* (Bt) for pest resistance, GM mustard uses two genes, Barnase and Barstar, derived from the soil bacterium *Bacillus amyloliquefaciens* for creating a male-sterile line and restoring fertility, which is crucial for hybrid seed production. It is not engineered for pest resistance. 2. **GM mustard has the genes that allow the plant cross-pollination and hybridization.** This statement is correct. The Barnase-Barstar system in DMH-11 is a genetic engineering technique that enables controlled cross-pollination and the efficient production of hybrid mustard varieties. Barnase induces male sterility, and Barstar restores fertility in the hybrid, facilitating cross-pollination for higher yield hybrids. 3. **GM mustard has been developed jointly by the IARI and Punjab Agricultural University.** This statement is incorrect. DMH-11 was developed by a team of scientists at the Centre for Genetic Manipulation of Crop Plants (CGMCP), University of Delhi South Campus, led by Dr. Deepak Pental. It was not a joint development by IARI (Indian Agricultural Research Institute) and Punjab Agricultural University. Therefore, only statement 2 is correct.
science-and-technology: With reference to the Genetically Modified mustard (GM mustard) developed in India, consider the following statements: 1

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