Non suitability of DMH-11 in Indian Farms

Why in News?

Transgenic mustard hybrid DMH-11 is being promoted as a way to improve mustard yields and reduce India’s dependence on edible oil imports.

• The concerns have been raised about DMH-11 suitability for India’s farming systems.

DMH-11 (Dhara Mustard Hybrid-11)

• Developed by – Delhi University’s Centre for Genetic Manipulation of Crop Plants.
• It contains three genes derived from the bacterium Bacillus amyloliquefaciens –
  • Barnase – enables male sterility/cross-pollination.
  • Barstar – restores fertility and facilitates hybrid seed production.
  • Bar – provides tolerance to glufosinate herbicide.
• Mustard is mainly cultivated in dry regions of central and northwestern India.
• Major yield constraint – Parasitic weed Orobanche aegyptiaca (broomrape/Margoza).
• Glufosinate can suppress susceptible weeds while the HT (Herbicide-Tolerant Mustard) mustard survives.

HT crops are the crops engineered/bred to tolerate a particular herbicide, allowing the herbicide to control susceptible weeds while the crop survives.

Non-suitability of HT Mustard

• Small farms – Indian farms rely heavily on mixed/intercropping, unlike large monocultures.
• Ecological risks – Herbicides may harm companion crops, biodiversity, pollinators, soil and water ecosystems.
• Superweeds – Repeated herbicide use can promote herbicide-resistant weeds.
• Nutrition loss – “Weeds” like Bathua and Celosia provide food, fodder, nutrients and medicinal benefits.

Conventionally mutagenised HT mustard varieties that are not classified as GM crops and have tolerance to imidazolinone herbicides.

Measures

• Improve weed management and agronomic practices rather than relying solely on herbicides.
• Scale up the System of Mustard Intensification, which can improve yields through better agronomy.
• Promote India’s diverse oilseed base, including groundnut, sunflower, sesame, safflower, coconut and niger.

Reference

Down To Earth| Why herbicide-tolerant mustard doesn’t fit Indian farms